NATIONAL youth coach, Garvin Nedd,believes West Indies under-19 selectees, Guyanese Keemo Paul and Bhaskar Yadram are mentally strong enough to execute during the 2017 NAGICO Regional Super50 tournament.The duo are part of a 14-man squad to participate in the upcoming tournament, which runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados.
“I expect great things from both players,” Nedd said in an exclusive interview on Friday.
“Both are exceptional and talented players. They are mentally strong, so I expect them to execute well.”
Nedd,who coached both players at different youth levels, also believes that the game‘s situation will play an important role for both players, in terms of their performances.
“Paul is a brilliant all-rounder, and once he plays to his strength, he will come out successful. Yadram, on the other hand, is doing well for the past months. He is a free-scoring batsman and he needs to continue in that attitude, but the games situation will be key (to) how they perform,” the current national under-17 coach pointed out.
Meanwhile, president of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Alfred Mentore,believes Paul is a star in the making.
According to Mentore, Paul, who is one of the three over-aged players selected in the squad, has a bright and good future ahead of him.
“Paul (Keemo) is an exceptionally talented player, and the opportunity given to him will definitely give him a chance to express himself going forward,” Mentore said.

He added, “With the likes of the Bravos and the Pollards coming to the tail-end of their international careers, players like Paul need to advertise their true potential. This is an opportunity which he needs to grab with both hands”.

Mentore strongly feels that Paul is definitely a future for Guyana and West Indies cricket.

The 14-member squad includes five players who were part of the team which won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh last year.They are all-rounders Shamar Springer and Paul; middle-order batsman Kirstan Kallicharan; wicket-keeper/batsman Emmanuel Stewart; and left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy.

The West Indies Under-19s are participating in this tournament as part of their preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, to be played in New Zealand next year.

Springer, Paul and McCoy will not be eligible for that tournament, but have been selected as part of their future development and monitoring.

The West Indies Under-19s will play in Zone A, which is based in Antigua. They will play alongside defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force,along with Windward Islands Volcanoes, Kent Spitfire and host team Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Full squad: Te-Shawn Alleyne, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Bishop, Shian Brathwaite, Kirstan Kallicharan, Mikyle Louis, Obed McCoy, Matthew Patrick, Keemo Paul, Jeavor Royal, Javier Spencer, Shamar Springer, Emmanuel Stewart and Bhaskar Yadram.

Team management: Graeme West (Head Coach); Tony Gray (Assistant Coach); Dwain Gill (Team Manager); Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist); Dinesh Mahabir (Analyst); Zephyrinus Nicholas (Trainer).