National Under-17 cricket captain Varendra Jagroop will lead a 14-man squad to Tobago from June 29 to July 8 in the West Indies Cricket Board U-17 Regional 50-over tournament.
The team has been practicing five days a week since May 27, preparing both mentally and physically. The team will hold two more practice sessions, today and Thursday and a practice match tomorrow, before leaving for Tobago on Saturday. The team played two practice matches against the U-19 national team over the weekend, losing the first by 65 runs and the second by seven wickets.
Manager of the team Stephen Martel, said the batting has potential, but is a concern right now. The coaching staff which is led by Dasrath Maharaj, would like the batsmen to apply themselves at the crease. They would like each player to face 60 balls in the practice match against a Powergen XI tomorrow.
In the bowling department, Shane Smith, Jerlanie Seales, Anderson Phillip and Jyd Goolie will lead the attack. The coaching staff would like the young bowlers to concentrate on line and length, rather than speed. The tournament will be played in a round robin format, with the top two teams going through to the grand final on July 8. The venues for the matches will be confirmed later this week.
SQUAD
Varendra Jagroop (captain), Amir Jangoo, Carl Vialva, Jyd Goolie, Clevon Kallawan, Jeron Maniram, Shaquille McDavid, Brandon Jaggernauth, DeJourn Charles, Bryan Boodram, Afdal Khan, Shane Smith, Jerlanie Seales, Anderson Phillip. Reserves: Kerron Simmons, Amrish Rampersad
Dasrath Maharaj (Coach), Stephen Martel (Manager)
T&T's schedule of matches
July 1–Leeward Islands
July 3–Windward Islands
July 4–Jamaica
July 6–Barbados
July 7–Guyana