Losing the first match of the series was the wake-up call which led to the Barbados team retaining the title in the West Indies Under-15 Cricket Tournament.
This was revealed during an interview with team coach Richard Clarke, following the competition which ended last Wednesday in Jamaica.
Barbados won the fifth and final match of the series when they defeated Guyana by four wickets, ending the competition with 26.2 points.
They won four consecutive matches after losing the opening encounter to eight-time winners Trinidad and Tobago.
“Based on my assessment, we played the brand of cricket that was expected from our second match after the wake-up call in the first when we lost to Trinidad and Tobago.
“The boys knew after we were in a discussion that lasted a few hours what we had to do to retain the championship, which has never been done in the history of Barbados [at that level],” Clarke told MIDWEEK SPORT.
He explained that after the misfortune, the team played their remaining opponents as if each match was a final, with every player contributing to the championship success of the Nimar Bolden-led team.
“The openers Jacob Bethel and Most Valuable Player Jaden Leacock gave us solid starts after our first match and that paved the way for the others to come out and to do what was required,” Clarke said.
“The fast bowlers took a total of 22 wickets which was vital in the points system and they were without a doubt the fastest on show and shook up quite a few of the opponents who were more into the spin throughout.”
He said the team experienced some health challenges, but they were thankful to physiotherapist Kwayne Dalrymple, who worked around the clock to ensure the boys were in good shape.
Clarke expressed gratitude to assistant coach Rohan Nurse, manager Jason Haynes, head coach from the Centre of Excellence programme, Henderson Springer, coaches Dexter Toppin, Dave Marshall, Richard Straker and Barry Forde, who worked with the boys in the Under-13 group, Under-15 coach Shirley Clarke, and Jonathan Drakes.
Trainer Janelle Chase-Mayers and her associate Jamar Layne, sports psychologist Dr Rudi Alleyne and the parents were also lauded for their contribution. (RG)