CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Reigning double-crown champions Jamaica will have to be at their best from the start, when they open the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge in the feature match against Trinidad & Tobago today at Gros-Islet Sports Complex.

The Jamaicans used home advantage fully last year to claim both titles, and will be looking to make a strong start to the competition against T&T, one of the most competitive sides in recent years.

Six players have been retained from last year’s squad, and this gives the Jamaicans a solid foundation upon which they can build.

The six players are captain Paul Palmer Jr, vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Ramon Senior, Kemar Marshall, and Nicholson Gordon.

“If you match this team against the one last year, there is someone here to replace any player who is out from last year,” Palmer told the Jamaica Observer before his side’s departure. “As captain, I’m comfortable with the squad that the selectors have chosen.”

Three players who represented Young West Indies in the Youth World Cup earlier this year in New Zealand will be at the core of the T&T challenge.

The trio are captain Yannick Ottley, all-rounder Yannic Cariah, and left-handed batsman Evin Lewis.

Five players from last year’s tournament – opening batsman Nicholas Alexis, leg-spinner Kissoondath Magram, all-rounders Sachin Boodram and Teshawn Castro, as well as wicketkeeper/batsman Rickson Maniram – also give the side a boost.

“I think the team is well prepared both physically and mentally,” said Ottley. “We did a lot of work in the physical training sessions with the coaches and the mental sessions.

“I think we’re well equipped to do well in the tournament. Given the composition of the team, we have what it takes to win both titles.”

In other opening round matches today, traditionally-competitive Barbados will take on Windward Islands at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, and Guyana will battle Leeward Islands at Dennery.