Nandu is a hard worker, Thorne clocks 84mph when he gets it right

…says U19 Head Coach Floyd Reifer

By Brandon Corlette

West Indies Under-19 Head Coach Floyd Reifer is confident that the Caribbean U-19 side would perform well at the upcoming International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) U-19 World Cup.

That tournament will be played in the West Indies, commencing on January 14 in Guyana and concluding on February 5 in Antigua.
Speaking on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest Radio programme, Reifer described Guyanese left-handed opener Matthew Nandu as a hard worker, and he noted that once fast-bowler Isai Thorne gets it right, he can bowl at a speed of 84mph.
“Nandu is a very good cricketer. He resides in Canada, and he is the son of Arjune Nandu. He is a hard worker, and he came to Barbados and spent three to four weeks. Over that period, we saw his game improve a lot. The programme we had for Nandu and Thorne and all the other players, we have seen development and progression in terms of how the players are operating on and off the field.
“Matthew and Isai are improved cricketers, and Thorne bowls pretty quick, …17 years old (bowling) 83-84 mph when he gets it right. They have a good future in cricket, as well as all the other lads,” he said.
With the tournament being played at home, Reifer said, it would be an advantage, since the players are accustomed to the surfaces; but since the pitches will be of ICC standard, grass will be on the pitch. The Barbadian Reifer has said tactical and game awareness is very critical for the West Indies youth team.
Coach Reifer has said he would have wanted more in-person time with the lads, but the group would be fully prepared before the World Cup with five matches to be played against the South Africa U-19 team.
“That series is very important. Leading up to this, the young men have not played much cricket in the past two years, so it is important for us to get these games to see where we are at,” Reifer said.
During these matches, Coach Reifer will be looking at how the players execute. Interestingly, Reifer noted that the talented young West Indies group includes 13 players who ran 40 or more in the yo-yo test.
The West Indies U-19 team will open their campaign in Guyana, then move to St Kitts and Nevis before going to Antigua. Reifer has said his squad is equipped and his batsmen will show a big difference, especially playing and scoring off spin-bowling, with more scoring options at their disposal.
While winning is high on the team’s agenda, Reifer has said: “we want to see these guys playing good cricket every game.” In addition to being prepared for the U-19 World Cup, Reifer said, these players are groomed to become more professional for the future, on and off the field.
According to Reifer, the knowledge gained by these players would prepare them for franchise and senior cricket.
FULL SQUAD:
Ackeem Auguste (Captain): left-hand bat
Giovonte Depeiza (Vice Captain): right-hand bat/left-arm spin
Onaje Amory: right-hand bat/right-arm off-spin
Teddy Bishop: right-hand bat
Carlon Bowen-Tuckett: right-hand bat/wicketkeeper
Jaden Carmichael: right-hand bat/left-arm spin
McKenny Clarke: right-hand bat/right-arm fast
Rivaldo Clarke: right-hand bat/wicketkeeper
Jordan Johnson: left-hand bat/right-arm leg-spin
Johann Layne: right-hand bat/right-arm fast
Anderson Mahase: left-hand bat/left-arm spin
Matthew Nandu: left-hand opening bat/right-arm leg-spin
Shaqkere Parris: right-hand opening bat
Shiva Sankar: right-hand bat/right-arm medium-fast
Isai Thorne: right-hand bat/right-arm fast.