U-19 Series May Shift to Guyana

Teenage cricketers from across the region are busy preparing to participate in the 2006 TCL regional under-19 cricket series scheduled to commence on July 24 in Barbados.

However, uncertainty surrounds the hosting of the six-team competition and a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) source indicated that due to financial reasons the competition could be shifted to Guyana.

The Barbados Nation newspaper reported that Barbados has withdrawn as hosts, forcing the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to frantically searching for an alternative venue.

Vice-President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Malcolm Peters confirmed the GCB is working on a budget for the tournament, which was last played in Guyana in 2003.

?We don?t know as yet for sure, but it is highly likely that it will be hosted by Guyana in August,? he disclosed.

While the currency exchange rate (US $1= G$200) makes it more economical for regional tournaments to be hosted in Guyana, the condition of the grounds, caused by the rainy season, is a slight concern.

Guyana is on the South American mainland and the Albion ground in Berbice (which hosted the first One-Day international in the West Indies in 1977) is the only venue in the country where cricket can be played at this time.

May/June is the usual rainy season here but it is expected that the present adverse weather could last until late July. All local competitions have been suspended since April.

Because of the large number of first-class cricket grounds, the vast experience of hosting regional competitions from under-15 to senior level, the currency exchange rate and the passionate support for regional cricket by the fans and the media, Guyana is well equipped to host such competitions and the GCB is looking forward to staging the tournament.

Guyana?s preparation has again been badly affected by rain and a 20-man squad (which includes nine players who played in last year?s tournament in St Vincent) has had to resort to practice sessions at the make-shift indoor facility at the National Gymnasium and physical training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the Colgrain swimming pool in Georgetown.

The final team is expected to be announced by mid-July and Steven Jacobs, the only first-class player in the squad, is tipped to be named captain for his debut tournament at this level.