ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – As expected, Test batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has been appointed captain of an experienced 15-man Under-19 West Indies squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup scheduled for Australia next month.
The right-handed opener, who has played nine Tests, will lead a unit that also includes fast bowler Ronsford Beaton and left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge both of whom have already played first-class cricket.
West Indies will do battle in Group C alongside India, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea in the tournament runs from August 11-26.
Matches will be played across the cities of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Townsville in the state of Queensland.
Brathwaite, who has led the side in recent tours of India, Dubai and the United States, will bring his massive experience to a squad which has been together now for over a year.
The bulk of the unit undertook all three tours and also spent time together in an Easter camp in Barbados.
Right-armer Beaton, who played for Guyana, has turned out in eight first class games while Hodge played a single game for Windward Islands earlier this year.
While all-rounder Kyle Mayers has never played first class cricket, he represented Combined Campuses and Colleges in the Regional Super50 and the Caribbean Twenty20 tournaments.
The squad is bolstered by attacking Jamaican left-hander John Campbell, the side’s vice-captain, and left-arm Barbadian seamer Jerome Jones who starred in the recently concluded Regional Under-17 tournament in Tobago. Pacer Justin Greaves, who is yet to play first class cricket, was a part of the Barbados set up during the recent four-day cricket.
West Indies will open their campaign against defending champions India in Townsville on August 12.
SQUAD – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), John Campbell, Anthony Alleyne, Justin Greaves, Jerome Jones, Kyle Mayers, Kavem Hodge, Ronsford Beaton, Amir Khan, Marquino Mindley, Sunil Ambri, Derone Davis, Steven Katwaroo, Akeal Hosein, Keiron Joseph
Courtney Walsh (Team Manager), Roddy Estwick (Head Coach), Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach), Janel Springer (Physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (Trainer)
