Anguilla’s impressive Under-19 cricketers have this week been playing in the Leeward Island’s Tournament in Antigua, with their eyes set on a selection process at the weekend that will take a number of them to a further competitive match.

Young cricketers with Stephenie Brooks and Cardigan Connor (right) and Matthew Jordan and Lawrence Carty (left)

Cricket Development Officer, Cardigan Connor, said that from that tournament a squad would be selected for the one-month West Indies Under-19 Tournament in Jamaica, commencing on July 8. He explained that two of last year’s players, Kelbert Walters and Jamar Hamilton, would be returning to this year’s tournament and that a number of other young cricketers were expected to be selected for the Leeward Islands squad to play in Jamaica.

From that tournament, the West Indies Board will select a squad to play in the Under-19 World Cup and it is hoped that Anguilla will be represented in that tournament.

Except for Kelbert Walters and Jamar Hamilton, all of the other Anguillian players are students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Walters was in England for a period of time playing for Derbyshire in the Durham League for Derbyshire.

Chesney Hughes, who played for the Leeward Islands’ Under-19 team during the past three years, and has been the team’s captain, has just signed a three-year contract with Derbyshire will now be playing professional cricket in England.

Commenting on support for the Anguillian team participating in the current Leeward Islands Under-19 Tournament in Antigua, Cardigan Connor stated: “We have been fortunate to have had the support of Digicel over the last three years, and I must thank Stephanie Brooks [Country Manager] for her continued support of the Anguilla Under-19 team as well as the team from the school.

“I am very optimistic about the future of the Under-19s,” he added. "The talent is there and I think there have been some positive moves forward over the previous years with Omari making the West Indies team; Chesney having a three-year contract with Derbyshire, Jamar Hamilton playing for the Leeward Islands’ senior team; and Monsin Hodge, who started with the Under-13s, have played for the school and the Under-19s. For a number of these youngsters, they can see their success close to hand.”

Speaking on behalf of Digicel, Stephanie Brooks commented: “We are very proud to be the sponsors for the Under-19 Cricket for the last three years. We are committed to various youth activities, especially cricket. Digicel has sponsored West Indies cricket for the past few years and we have also taken it to a local place where we are sponsoring the Under -19s. We sponsor their travel, uniforms and various other items they need. Even during these difficult economic times, when I know a lot of companies might not be able to sponsor or provide support at the level that they want to, Digicel is pleased to be able to offer that support because we believe in cricket at the local and the regional level. That’s why we will continue to sponsor the Under 19s and Digicel will continue to show its support for cricket.

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