AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has given the West Indies Under-19 cricketers a major pep talk before their ICC U19 World Cup campaign.

The West Indies U19s arrived in New Zealand on Sunday and later in the evening visited the North Districts ground where they witnessed a Twenty20 match between Otago and Northern Districts.

According to manager of the West Indies team, Omar Khan, Vettori addressed the Caribbean players after the match and encouraged them to embrace the opportunity to participate in a world level event.

“Vettori and Brendon McCullum were both involved in the match and the West Indies players met with them at the end of the game,” Khan said.

“Vettori spoke to the guys and told them that they must feel very lucky to be playing for the West Indies and they must grasp this opportunity. He told them to be positive in their approach to the game and back themselves in the upcoming Under-19 World Cup.”

Khan said that after the tiring flight from London, the players were taken out onto the Northern Districts ground for a run to get rid of the jet lag before going to their rooms to relax.

“The guys were not allowed to sleep when we arrived. We took them out to the Park for a run to help with the jet lag and then they were allowed to take their rest in their respective rooms.
“The team had a light training session and (yesterday) they would be having a much more intense session.”

Khan also expressed delight over the players’ attitude on the trip so far.
“We have a professional set up here and it is amazing the level of maturity that the guys have shown so far.”

The West Indies Under-19s will play a warm-up game against the Northern Districts ‘A’ team on Wednesday (this  evening, Caribbean time).