WICB’S Under-19 Super50 Champions Guyana open their title defence against hosts Jamaica in Kingston today.Guyana departed local shores on Monday for the Regional tournament which runs from July 22 to August 2.
The Guyana coach Adrian Amsterdam prior to the team’s departure, said, “The advantage we have this year is that the team has a few players who played in last year’s tournament, so the experience at this level is there and added to that we have Hetmyer (Shemron) who has played for Guyana at the highest level, so we have a team capable of winning.”
Meanwhile, Jamaica say they are confident of dethroning defending champions Guyana when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Under-19 tournament bowls in Guyana today.
Selection panel spokesman, Wayne Lewis, says his team expect a strong showing from the hosts whom they play today before taking on Windward Islands tomorrow.
Lewis says opponents can expect a Jamaica outfit that will be strong in all departments.
“We’re very excited about the squad because we have a good balance and some accomplished players,” Lewis told the Jamaica Observer.
“It is going to take all-round team performances and we are very confident we have what it takes. We are good enough to win it and we expect to win it”.
The team is captained by Michael Frew and coached by former West Indies opener Robert Samuels.
“We have a very good fast bowling unit which includes Miguel Smith, who was impressive in trial matches, and also a good spin department,” said Lewis, the former Jamaica batsman.
“We have the captain who bowls off-spin and is a clean-hitting lower order batsman; we have batsmen Abhijai Mansingh, Brad Barnes, and runs are expected from Ramone Francis.”
Today’s opening round also includes Windward Islands against ICC Americas and Barbados versus Trinidad and Tobago.