All-rounder Matthew Forde and left-arm fast bowler Ramon Simmonds have been named in the West Indies squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa early next year.
The other Barbadians selected in the 15-member team captained by Windward Islands’ Kimani Melius are middle-order batsman Antonio Morris and all-rounder Nyeem Young.
They will first face the England U19s and Sri Lanka U19s in the West Indies Rising Stars U19 Tri-Series to be held in Antigua in December.
In a media release, West Indies U19 head coach Graeme West said: “I would like to congratulate the 15 players selected to represent the West Indies in both the upcoming U19 Tri-Series and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The Tri- Series was always a key component to the team’s preparation and it will be used to establish our game strategies and reinforce the key messages that the support staff have identified as essential to playing successful white ball cricket.
“Everything we have been working on over the last 12 months has been designed to prepare the team for the opening World Cup games against Australia and England on January 18 and 20,” West said.
CWI president Ricky Skerritt also congratulated the selected players.
“I want to congratulate all who have gained selection. These young talented cricketers are the best of our U19 Rising Stars. I call on all West Indies cricket stakeholders and fans to give them our full support and best wishes now and in the future,” he said.(AGB/PR)
