ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Guyana left-hander Shimron Hetmyer has been appointed captain of the West Indies Under-19 squad which will do battle in the ICC Youth World Cup starting next month in Bangladesh.
Hetmyer, who has played six first class matches for Guyana Jaguars, is one of two players in the squad with first class experience – the other being Leeward Islands Hurricanes fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.
Selection chief Clive Lloyd said he was confident the squad would do the Caribbean proud among international opposition.
“We have put together a group of players we believe will perform for the West Indies,” the legendary former West Indies captain said.
“We see them as future Test cricketers for the West Indies and this tour is an opportunity for them to be exposed at the international level against strong opposition.”
Hetymer, a free-scoring top order batsman, will be making his second appearance in the Under-19 World Cup after also campaigning in the 2014 tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Joseph, meanwhile, has been viewed by selectors as a fabulous prospect. He made his debut for Hurricanes a year ago and has so far captured 17 wickets in five first class matches, with best figures of seven for 46 against Windward Islands Volcanoes last month.
Prior to the start of the Under-19 World Cup, the Young Windies will take on Bangladesh in a three-match 50-over series in Dhaka, which will form part of their preparation.
The Under-19 World Cup runs from January 22 to February 14.
SQUAD – Shimron Hetmyer (Captain), Keemo Paul (Vice Captain), Kacey Carty, Shahid Crooks, Michael Frew, Jyd Goolie, Tevin Imlach, Ryan John, Alzarri Joseph, Kirstan Kallicharan, Obed McCoy, Gidron Pope, Odean Smith, Shamar Springer, Emmanuel Stewart.
