PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Promising West Indies batsman Jeremy Solozano says the regional Under-19 team is capable of winning the ICC Youth World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next month.
Solozano has been named in a 15-man squad which begins its campaign on the opening dayof the tournament, February 14, against South Africa in Dubai.
“We have a very good team going to the World Cup. Everybody knows their role,” declared Solozano who has an excellent regional season with the Trinidad and Tobago Under-19s where he finished top scorer in the three-day and 50 overs competitions.
“I think we can win the World Cup, that is our goal. We want to win,” he declared.
The squad was on Tuesday scheduled to begin a one-week preparatory camp inBarbados, at the Sagicor High Performance Centre.
Off-spinning allrounder Ramaal Lewis leads the squad and will be assisted by wicketkeeper-batsman Nicolas Pooran.
“My goal since I was 15-years-old was to make a World Cup team and I have achieved that,” said the 18 year old cricketer.
“It’s a good feeling (to make the team). Thanks to God for blessing me with this opportunity.”
During the regional season Solozano scored 334 runs at an average of 41.57 in the three-day tournament and was even more prolific in the 50 overs format with 257 runs at an average of 51.40.
“I want to do my best, bat and make runs,”he said.
“The experience there will carry me a long way. I’ve been training hard with the senior four-day team and doing my personal training as well. I just want to play at my best”.
West Indies are placed in Group C at the World Cup, alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada.
Squad: Ramaal Lewis (capt), Nicholas Pooran (vice-capt), Fabian Allen, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bryan Charles, Tristan Coleman, Jonathan Drakes, Shimron Hetmeyer, Jerome Jones, Ray Jordan, Brandon King, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremy Solozano.
