As St Vincent and the Grenadines bowls off their 2023 campaign today, Tuesday, December 12, the coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines national Under-15 cricket squad has shared his expectations and concerns.

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will be seeking to regain ground lost over the past years, as they host the 2023 WINLOTT/Windward Islands Cricket Board Under-15 Tournament, from December 12 to 17. Matches in the tournament will be played at the Cumberland and Park Hill playing fields.

SVG has not won the Windward Islands Under-15 Cricket title for many years, but the coach said preparations have gone fairly well.

“My expectations for the Under-15 players is for them to apply their knowledge, and be determined to compete for the championship and places on the Windwards team. Their preparations have gone fairly well in that the weather has been good, the facilities have been made available, and the players have turned up for training and match practice consistently.”

His main concerns however lie in the area of batting. “During the practice matches, I have been working to get our batters to occupy the crease for long periods. However, it’s a learning process for all of them.

“The bowling, especially the spin department can hold its own favourably. The fast bowling needs to be more consistent. The spin department of our bowling is quite solid and am awaiting much success from the spinners, however, our fast bowling needs to be more consistent in lines and lengths.”

For preparation, the players met with a number of coaches who were assigned by the cricket association two days weekly since September, and were “involved in quite a number of matches and games training on Saturdays”.

Additionally, the players attended two camps, one each at the Cumberland and Park Hill playing fields.

“In my view they are about 70-per cent tournament ready. I don’t know the strength of the other teams from St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica, but I am hoping that our boys will give a good showing of themselves and represent our country in a competitive manner.”

There are five returning players from last year in Jordon Charles, Cody Slater, Zach Thomas, Ahmad Boyea, and Delroy Tittle.

Alston Bobb played previously, but missed last year’s tournament, but is part of the 2023 squad. Jordan Charles is the captain and he represented the Windward Islands in the West Indies regional Under-15 cricket tournament.

The coach identified these players as the ones who “are expected to lead the performances to guide our success.”

The schedule of matches are:

Tuesday December 12, 2023 – 9:30 AM:
St. Vincent and the Grenadines versus Dominica – Park Hill Saint Lucia versus Grenada – Cumberland

Wednesday December 13, 2023 – 9:30 AM:
St. Vincent and the Grenadines versus Saint Lucia – Park Hill
Grenada versus Dominica – Cumberland

Friday December 15, 2023 – 9:30 AM:
St. Vincent and the Grenadines versus Grenada – Park Hill
Dominica vs Saint Lucia – Cumberland

Sunday December 17, 2023 – 9:30 AM:
Finals at Park Hill
Third place Playoff at Cumberland

The St Vincent & the Grenadines national Under-15 squad is -: Jorden Charles (captain), Alston Bobb, Zach Thomas, Cody Slater, Delroy Tittle, Jason Hoyte, Eddon Baptiste, Juarez Baptiste, Tyrese Hackshaw, Mattaniah Stapleton, Davon Johnny, Ahmaud Williams, Shane Roberts, Alexander Jordon, with Bertram Stapleton as coach, and Samuel Holder the manager.