THE West Indies Cricket Board Regional Under-15 50-Over Tournament bowls off today with three matches.Hosts and title-holders Guyana will face-off with Trinidad and Tobago at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground while the other opening encounters are Jamaica versus Windward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium and Barbados against Leeward Islands at Wales.
The Guyanese captured the title last year in Jamaica by topping the points table, following victories over all opponents except the Windward Islands.
In an invited comment yesterday, coach Julian Moore is backing his players to make full use of their home advantage.
He pointed out that despite the lack of turf practice, he remained upbeat of Guyana’s chances.
Rain has hampered much of their preparation over the last two weeks, but Moore feels his charges are still well-prepared for the tournament.
“We made good use of the indoor facilities and we were able to bring the players up to match-readiness, physically, technically and mentally,” Moore said.
He added, “Our plan is to take it one game at a time, the team is well-balanced and we are very hardworking and disciplined. The players are all ecstatic to be given the opportunity to represent their country; and having said that the mood is the camp is very good, the sprit is very high and we are gelling as a team very well.”
The tournament, which is now in its 20th year, will be contested in a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of matches, with the team accumulating the most points being declared the champions.
The tournament started in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title. They hold the record for the most Regional Under-15 titles with seven, also clinching the trophy in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2013.
Reigning champions Guyana have claimed the top prize three times with back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999, plus last year’s win.
The Jamaicans have won the title on four occasions – 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 while the Barbadians have won it three times – 1997, 2004, 2012. The Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, and the Leewards are yet to win the title.
This year’s tournament concludes on July 30.
Left-arm spinner Ashmed Nedd will lead the Under-15 squad. The other members of the squad are: Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Garfield Benjamin, Qumar Torrington, Haifa Walters, Nivendra Persaud, Pradesh Ballkishun, Kelvin Umroa, Orlando Jailall, Robin Williams and Kevin Christian.