Young cricketers lap up advice from former West Indies players

Some of this country’s young cricketers got some timely and pertinent advice from others who have played the sport at the highest level.

The aspiring players were given the rare opportunity on Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Cumberland Playing Field as they met  former West Indies players, listened and interacted with them.

Present were Courtney Walsh, Ridley Jacobs, Philo Wallace, Sherwin Campbell, Dwaine Smith, Mervyn Dillon, Dave Mohammed, Pedro Collins, Stuart Williams and Sulieman Benn. Absent was Sir Curtly Ambrose. The former West Indies players were in St Vincent and the Grenadines for a Masters Cricket event. The ex-players gave the young players tips on bettering their game and staying in the sport.

Walsh in his remarks emphasized how important it is to “Listen and learn”.

He also extolled the virtues of hard work.

“ Once you put the work in, the benefits will be there. The guys you are seeing here have all represented the West Indies at the highest level. We have a love; we love to wear the badge and we represent the people of the region,” said Walsh, who was in the fast bowling line-up for the West Indies.

“ It is always a pride to do so, and it is something we felt special about.”

Apart from being able to give the Vincentian public a glimpse of their talents, Walsh noted that the presence of the former players was a reunion of sorts.

“When we realise that we are going to meet back here in St Vincent and the Grenadines- some of us haven’t seen each other for years- and the joy and enthusiasm of seeing old team mates, a rekindling was something extra special for us because of the joy of what we did on the field of play,” Walsh, also a former West Indies captain related.

Walsh asked of the players to seek assistance from ex- West Indies players such as Nixon Mc Lean, Ian Allen, Deighton Butler, Kesrick Williams and Kenroy Peters, who are all Vincentians and are accessible.

Recipients of the words of wisdom were players from the Leeward and Windward sides of the mainland.

The ex- West Indies players were also greeted by students of the Petit Bordel Secondary School, as well as the Fitz Hughes Government School.

The visit to the Cumberland Playing Field was among other engagements by the former West Indies players.

Forming the West Indian XI, the players opposed a team drawn from the best of the best for the Independence Masters Cricket Festival. That match was played under flood lights at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Saturday, November 1, 2025.