BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The West Indies Under-19 cricketers returned home yesterday afternoon following a successful series against Australia Under-19s in Dubai. The Windies defeated the Aussies 2-1 in the three-match One-Day Series, and also had a four-wicket win in the three-day match played at the Global Cricket Academy.On arrival at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport, the players were greeted with cheers and hugs by family members, well-wishers and local cricket supporters.
Speaking on behalf of the team, captain Kraigg Brathwaite said: “We all played together as a team and we played together for the people of the West Indies.
“We fell behind in the One-Day Series when we lost the first match but we kept our focus and bounced back to win the limited-overs series and the three-day match as well.”
The West Indies used the tour as part of the team’s preparation for the next year’s International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup in Australia.
That tournament is expected to be played in July, 2012. Brathwaite said the tour to Dubai was a very good eye-opener.
“It was good to get a chance to experience foreign conditions. We handled ourselves very well. Before we left home we were physically and mentally prepared so we adjusted quite well. It was extremely hot and we had to make sure we hydrated properly.
“We got it right off the field and that allowed us to go out and play good, competitive cricket, which we did,” Brathwaite added.
“We knew what we went there to do and I would say we performed very well. It was good to get that opportunity to play on different pitches away from home. We now have the upcoming days, weeks, and months to get fully prepared for next year’s World Cup. We plan to use the time wisely and make sure we do the West Indies proud again.”
West Indies Under-19 Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain, Barbados), Anthony Alleyne (Barbados), Ronsford Beaton (Guyana), John Campbell (Jamaica), Brian Christmas (Trinidad & Tobago), Kwame Crosse (Guyana), Derone Davis (Trinidad & Tobago), Justin Greaves (Barbados), Kavem Hodge (Dominica), Jerome Jones (Barbados), Keiron Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago), Steven Katwaroo (Trinidad & Tobago), Amir Khan (Guyana), Kyle Mayers (Barbados), Donovan Nelson (Jamaica), Akeem Saunders (St Kitts).
Team Management Unit: Roddy Estwick (head coach), Courtney Browne (team manager), Stuart Williams (assistant coach), Janel Springer (physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (fitness trainer)