KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Former Jamaica prime minister PJ Patterson wants to see a heavy emphasis placed on the development and management of the successful West Indies Under-19 players in coming years.
Patterson, who authored the now famous Patterson Report recommending the restructuring of the West Indies Cricket Board nine years ago, said the current crop of young players had the ability to reignite West Indies cricket but needed be properly handled.
West Indies captured the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh a fortnight ago when they beat heavy favourites India in the final.
“It is the sign that there could be a new beginning. What has to happen is that the talents have to be harnessed. They ought to be properly handled and promoted,” the Gleaner newspaper quoted Patterson as saying.
“They are under 19 so you can’t be exposing them to the hazards of constant competition without ensuring that the body structure is properly developed.”
The recent triumph was the first ever Under-19 World Cup title by West Indies, after coming close when Denesh Ramdin’s side went down in the 2004 final to Pakistan.
They were guided by outstanding performances from fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder, along with strong batting showings from captain Shimron Hetmyer, Shamar Springer and Gidron Pope.
Patterson, one of the Caribbean’s foremost cricket thinkers, said these players could prove to be the base on which West Indies cricket could rebuild.
“I wish that they will be taken in hand as we could see a restoration in the near future of West Indies cricket fortunes,” Patterson continued.
“A strong foundation is an absolute necessity if West Indies cricket is to have a solid and permanent superstructure.”
