TCL West Indies Youth Cricket Challenge
July 6, 2009

TT Under 19 Off To Jamaica

Ottley confident of winning both titles

Newly appointed T&T Under-19 captain Yannick Ottley said that if the team plays to its true potential in the upcoming TCL West Indies Youth Cricket Challenge in Jamaica, there is a strong possibility that they can return home with two trophies.

Ottley was speaking ahead of the team’s departure today at 8 am to Kingston.

Three newcomers have been selected on the U-19 team to participate in the tournament from Thursday to August 6.

Promising opening batsman Amir Khan, fast bowlers Teshawn Castro and Aneil Harrypersad are the new faces in the 14-member squad.

The 17-year-old Ottley is one of five players, who was drafted from the T&T U-17 team on to the U-19 side in Barbados last year, after six cricketers were sent home for various disciplinary reasons.

The others were Nicholas Alexis, Rickson Maniram, Kissoondath Magram and Sachin Boodram. These players have also been selected on the team, who will be defending its limited overs title in Jamaica.

“Going into this tournament, I am very confident of leading T&T to success. I have been groomed for this job, having led the T&T U-17 team to championship honours in the Sir Gary Sobers International Tournament in Barbados last year.

“In addition, I have received leadership training from the T&T Cricket Board and also I have been tutored by several prominent cricketers and administrators including Rangy Nanan, Larry Gomes, Shazan Babwah and Lalman Kowlessar,” said Ottley.

The Presentation College, Chaguanas, student said that in preparation for the series was somewhat difficult because of the inclement weather but they were still able to make much of it.

“The match training was not the ideal situation because of the poor weather but we got in a couple of matches and we won both and that should give us the momentum going into Jamaica,” Ottley added.

The pint-sized allrounder singled out several players who will have to play key roles in the tournament.

“Evin Lewis has been having a tremendous season and I expect that he will continue in that same vein in Jamaica. Allrounder Yannic Cariah is a potential match winner, while ‘mystery’ bowler Kissoondath Magram will trouble all batsmen. All in all we have a well balanced and rounded team, who if they play to their true ability can bring back both titles,” Ottley further stated.

T&T batting will not only be centered around Ottley and Cariah but also Akeil Cooper, Javed Boodram, Alexis and Boodram (Sachin).

The bowling will be headed by the right-arm spin sensation, Magram, with support from Castro, Harrypersad, Cariah and also Boodram (Sachin).

T&T who are the defending limited overs champion will open its campaign in the three-day league championship on Thursday against hosts Jamaica at Kensington.

Former T&T and West Indies left-handed batsman Larry Gomes who was coach of the team for the last two years in St Kitts and Nevis and Barbados respectively has been replaced by national coach, Kelvin Williams.

Team

Yannick Ottley (captain), Yannic Cariah, Akeil Cooper, Nicholas Alexis, Aaron Alfred, Amir Khan, Rickson Maniram, Javed Boodram, Evin Lewis, Kissoondathn Magram, Teshawn Castro, Sachin Boodram, Marc Panchu, Aneil Harrypersad. William Wallace (manager), Kelvin Williams (coach), Clinton Jeremiah (Physio).