Guyana Under-19s set to continue regional domination

The Guyana Under-19 team recently concluded their intense training camp, and are rearing to defend their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 One-Day International championship title.

Coached by Julian Moore and managed by Andy Ramnarine, the Guyana Under-19 boys are expected to travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines tomorrow (Wednesday July 24) to begin the defence of their title.
Lone ICC Under-19 World Cup player in this squad, Ashmead Nedd, is expected to captain the team, which includes some highly gifted players. Besides Nedd, the team includes three West Indies Under-19 selectees: Kevlon Anderson, Sachin Singh and Kelvin Umroa.
With this year’s tournament being played in only the One-Day International format, Guyana will head into the tournament highly rated as the five-time defending champions. These players are equipped with what it takes to continue the Regional domination. The 14-member squad will officially be announced shortly by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). However, most of the players would each have included themselves in the final 14 based on experience, talent and potential to cover the bases of the squad.
The openers pick themselves, Berbice explosive duo Alex Algoo and Junior Sinclair.
Algoo is making his third appearance at the Regional Under-19 level, and will be aiming to make a statement since this tournament would be used to select the West Indies Under-19 team for the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
The right-handed Algoo was the lone centurion in the Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County tournament, while Sinclair was adjudged the Most Valuable Player and the one who also had scored the most runs.
Making his second appearance at the Regional Under-19 tournament, Singh is a natural opener who may fill in at number three if required. The West Indies Under-19 selectee is one of the soundest batsmen in the team, and the left-hander can stroke the ball crisply.
His West Indies U-19 team mate Anderson is expected to bat at number four. Anderson is arguably the best batsman in the team, and is also considered one of the best youth batsman in the Caribbean.
The numbers five and six positions will be up for grabs, with the likes of Alphius Bookie, Garfield Benjamin and Seon Glasgow in contention.
The spin department will be covered by skipper Nedd, Umroa and the impressive Demerara off-spinner Joel Spooner.
With some of the tracks in St Vincent and the Grenadines being described as slow turners, an extra spinner may also be added to the final 14. Player of the inter-county final, Daniel Mootoo, or Nigel Deodat may be considered.
The wicket-keeper spot is sealed by Adrian Hinds, who is returning from the 2018 squad. Meanwhile, the fast bowling department is covered by Qumar Torrington and Leon Swamy, while Anderson is expected to offer much support.
Approximately eight players from 2018 are set to return, and some six newcomers will make up the final 14.
Guyana will open their campaign against the Kimani Melius-led Windward Islands team on Sunday, July 28 at Arnos Vale from 9:30h local time. The probable 14-member squad reads:
Ashmead Nedd (captain), Kevlon Anderson (vice-captain), Sachin Singh, Alex Algoo, Junior Sinclair, Alphius Bookie, Garfield Benjamin, Seon Glasgow, Adrian Hinds (wk), Kelvin Umroa, Joel Spooner, Qumar Torrington, Leon Swamy and Daniel Mootoo/Nigel Deodat.