By Delvon Mc Ewan
The Brian Sattaur led Guyana Under-19 team created history yesterday as they became the first national youth team to win a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 double crown.
Having won the three-day competition held earlier, Guyana yesterday claimed the one-day title after the final against the Windward Islands at the Everest Cricket Club ground was washed out following early morning rain in the city. According to the playing condition, law 21.9 b (iv) states; determination of competition winner; In an event of the final being abandoned the winner of the tournament will be the team with the most points in the group stages. Guyana had played unbeaten in the round robin stage winning all six of their matches and was named winners over the Windwards side who won three of their round robin matches.
The limited overs success follows Guyana’s victorious campaign in the three day version just over two weeks ago, as the locals completed its first double. It was also the first victory for Guyana in the shorter version since its commencement in 1998.
At a time where there are so many crisis surrounding local cricket, an achievement of such magnitude should not go unrecognized and can be used for the unification of cricket stakeholders towards the development of cricket.
“I’m very elated that Guyana won the double. It is my second year as manager, we did not perform this well on the first occasion (which was in 2013), however, we (Guyana’s cricket administrators) regrouped and this is the result,” said Guyana team manager David Black, who dedicated the victory to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) officials especially secretary of the GCB, Anand Senasie.
Irwin Warrican, manager of the Windwards said he was disappointed at the venue that was chosen for the final. He said the youth tournaments are used for development thus the best facility (the National Stadium) should have been used. Although Guyana defeated the Windwards in the round robin stages, the Windwards’ coach was hopeful of a more competitive encounter in the final that could have ended with victory for either team. “In the end cricket lost,” he opined.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar was on hand to witness the historical moment and he congratulated the Guyana team for its achievement and the GCB for hosting a successful tournament. He also presented a trophy to Kemo Paul on behalf of the National Sports Commission in Guyana for the youngster’s all round performance.
Rawl Lewis, former West Indies player, who is currently the WICB Cricket Operation Officer, praised Guyana’s performance while recognizing the efforts of every individual, from team managers to ground staff that made the tournament successful.
West Indies U-19 player Shimron Hetmyer dominated the awards ceremony. He received trophies for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scoring the most runs and for the highest individual score, his 123 which was made against Barbados at the Providence National Stadium.
Romaine Morris of Jamaica won the award for the most dismissals by a wicket keeper while pacer Akil Seetal walked away with the accolade for taking the most wickets.
