GCB announces U19 team for Rising Stars tournament in St Vincent
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced a strong national under-19 team to participate in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars regional under-19 tournament, to be played in St Vincent and the Grenadines from July 2, 2023.
The Junior Selection Panel led by Chairman Andre Percival has named a 14-man squad, with ten (10) players returning from last year’s regional three-day tournament wherein Guyana finished in third place. Last year’s tournament did not feature a Super50 format.
The regional tournament this year welcomes the return of the Super50 format, which gives players an extended opportunity to showcase their talent. Outstanding performances during the tournament can ensure players stake a claim for selection in the West Indies Under-19 Team that will be selected to participate in next year’s Youth World Cup.
Talented batsman Mavindra Dindyal has been appointed captain of the team this year, with Jonathan Rampersaud being his deputy. The squad also includes gifted opening batsman Rampertab Ramnauth, who has already scored centuries for Guyana at the under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels.
West Indies under-19 express pacer Isai Thorne is also in the squad, along with Shamar Yearwood who scored a senior inter-county four-day century earlier this year, and was the leading run scorer for Guyana at last year’s regional tournament.
The four newcomers are wicketkeeper-batsman Sahid Vieira, fast-bowler Joash Charles, left-arm spinner Aryan Persaud, and batting all-rounder Thaddeus Lovell.
Andre Percival returns as the Head Coach, and Budhesh Chatterpaul returns as the Manager.
The full squad, which will commence encampment shortly, reads: Rampertab Ramnauth, Shaahid Vieira (WK), Mavindra Dindyal (Captain), Alvin Mohabir, Jonathan Rampersaud (Vice-Captain), Zachary Jodah, Thaddeus Lovell, Aryan Persaud, Joash Charles, Zeynul Ramsammy, Shamar Yearwood, Jeremy Sandia, Rivaldo Phillips and Isai Thorne. The reserves are Myheim Khan, Chanderpaul Ramraj, Ezekiel Wilson, Kevin Kisten, Nityanand Mathura, Krishna Singh and Sachin Balgobin.