Alcindo Holder, a member of the Young West Indies cricket team, greets Rev. Wes Hall, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, before departing for the Youth World Cup on Thursday. Photo WICB

The Young West Indies departed the Caribbean on Thursday for the ICC's Youth World Cup in New Zealand. The team, which is captained by Narsingh Deonarine, is coached by Gus Logie and managed by Courtney Daley.

Before departing though, the Young West Indies were encouraged by the WICB president, Wes Hall, to "uphold the finest traditions of the regional game during the Youth World Cup in New Zealand." Hall, was at the Grantley Adams International Airport ahead of the team's departure.

"I believe that you can and will win the Youth World Cup, but it is important that you keep the flag of West Indies cricket flying very high and know that all six million of us in the Caribbean are behind you," remarked Rev. Hall.

He added: "Some of you were there when we beat the world at the Under-15 World Cup two years ago, some of you were part of the winning side that visited England last year, and so that gives me great hope that we can also beat the world at the Under-19 World Cup.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you will do the West Indies proud. If you listen to the instructions of your coach and manager, and you all play to the best of your ability, I have no doubt that you will return to the Caribbean as champions like the Under-15s."

Rev. Hall outlined to the young players that there were just two rungs away from playing the game at the highest level and that should also help to inspire them.

"It's the Under-19s, then the A-Team, then the senior team and some of you may find that in another two or three years, you may be elevated to the top level of cricket," he said.

"So this is a grand opportunity for you to showcase to the world what we in the West Indies already know -- at the junior level we are as good as anyone else in the world."

Manager Daley was equally confident, though he felt entering the competition with limited preparation will make the challenge of conquering the world even greater.

"We would have preferred much more time to get ourselves physically prepared for the Youth World Cup," he commented.

"I do believe, however, we are prepared mentally for the challenge, but it will take some time for us to adjust once we arrive in New Zealand. I am still optimistic about our chances though."

Young West Indies failed to make it past the first round of the Youth World Cup in South Africa four years ago, but reached the quarterfinals in Pakistan two years ago which gave Daley much hope for his side.

"We want to go all the way this time, but it will be a challenge and all we can do is take it one match at a time, and try to do the right things," he said.

"I think we have a good unit and I think that will help us having such a close-knit side. We have had someone in New Zealand instructing us about what we can expect, so that's why I think we will be mentally, if not physically prepared."

Daley concluded his one desire for the trip would be to see the future of West Indies cricket enhanced by purposeful performances from his side in New Zealand.

West Indies has been drawn in Group-D that will be contested at Carisbrook in Dunedin. They face Young Scotland on Monday, January 21, Young Australia two days later, and Young Kenya the following day.

Squad:-
Narsingh Deonarine (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Alcindo Holder, Lorenzo Ingram, Gareth Matthew, Ron Matthews, Ryan Nurse, Donovan Pagon, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Shane Shillingford, Lendl Simmons, Gavin Tonge, Tonito Willett.

Officials: Gus Logie (coach), Courtney Dale (manager), Dave Cumberbatch (trainer).

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