PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – All-rounder Jyd Goolie says one of the keys to the West Undies Under-19s’ recent success at the ICC Youth World Cup was the ability to stay calm under pressure.
The Caribbean side made history by winning their first ever Under-19 World Cup when they beat heavy favourites India by five wickets in the final of the tournament in Bangladesh last Sunday.
En route to the final, West Indies encountered several tense situations which Goolie said they managed to deal with by holding their nerves well.
“Staying calm and focused was a major factor for our success. Most of the games we were under pressure and ended up being close finishes,” Goolie explained.
“There were some nerves in the squad but the coach, captain and vice-captain brought the team together and really ensured we were focused and calm. We were able to perform effectively in some difficult match situation and in front of hostile crowds.”
Goolie along with off-spinner Kirstan Kallicharan arrived on Wednesday to a welcome by the Ministry of Sports and cricket administrators at the VIP lounge of the Piarco International Airport here.
Both were members of the successful West Indies Under-19 side which returned to the Caribbean on Tuesday to a heroes’ welcome in Barbados.
Goolie, who played important roles during the campaign, said it was major to be part of the first ever Youth World Cup-winning squad from the region.
“It feels very good to be a world champion. The West Indies never won a title at the Under-19 level and I was honoured to be part of the team that won the first title.”
Kallicharan, who played only the two first games of the tournament, pointed to team unity as another factor in the successful campaign.
“We really worked together and it was fun getting to know the players from the other islands,” he said.
“The relationships we built helped form a strong bond which endured through the difficult moments at the tournament. We did not want to let each other down, so we played hard cricket throughout the tournament that culminated in the World Cup title.”
One of the youngest members of the squad at 16, Kallicharan said winning the World Cup was monumental as it proved that West Indies could hold their own among world cricket’s youth elite.
“It is a great feeling to win the Under-19 World Cup because it not like a regional tournament,” Kallicharan said.
“You are playing against the best players from all over the world and to be crowned champions proves that you are in an elite category. It was a great feeling being part of this squad and learning from the more experienced players in the team and it is something I will cherish and learn from.”
