And the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) now finds itself in the uncomfortable position of trying to find replacements hastily for a tournament that opens Sunday.
WICB chief executive officer Steve Camacho said yesterday that organisers only realised last week Tuesday that some of the West Indians had not met the age stipulation.
ÒThe WICB uses a cut-off date of September 1 of the year prior to its regional Under-19 Tournament and had indicated this to the International Cricket Council meeting on June 11, 1997,Ó Camacho said.
ÒWe were under the mistaken impression that it had been accepted; but in fact the decision made was that September 1, 1997, would be the cut-off date.Ó
The names and dates of birth of the West Indies players were submitted to the United Cricket Board of South Africa last November 5, but the error was only discovered just prior to the teamÕs departure.
Organisers were willing to allow the over-aged players to take part in the 16-nation tournament, but indications are that there were objections from the other teams.
None of the three Barbadians Ð Ryan Hinds, Ryan Best or Marlon Graham Ð was affected. Nor was captain Sylvester Joseph or vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The seven over the age-limit are Guyanese Azeemul Haniff and Eion Katchay, Jamaican Ryan Cunningham, Trinidadian Avidesh Samaroo, Dominican Wayne Phillip and Leeward Islanders Tyrone Greenaway and Runako Morton.
The seven West Indians will be given the option of remaining on tour with the team to participate in matches outside of the tournament as part of the development programme of the board.
ÒThe WICB regrets that this situation has occurred and our primary concern is for the affected players and the entire team,Ó Camacho said.
ÒTo this end, the team manager and WICB representatives are speaking personally with the seven players and their parents to explain the changes,Ó he added.
Barbadians all-rounder Antonio Mayers and wicket-keeper Corey Glasgow are tipped to be among the replacements.
West IndiesÕ first match of the tournament is scheduled for Monday, but organisers said some adjustments would be made to accommodate the changes.