But where can these players go from here? The A team is nearly defunct, the first-class league weak, and the contracts issue is destroying the senior side

Their teenaged team has brought a welcome, long overdue whiff of optimism to West Indies cricket. In advancing to today's final of the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, they have demonstrated a resilience that, for multiple reasons, has been repeatedly beyond their seniors. It will be severely tested in the showpiece climax by India, the one remaining unbeaten team in a tournament otherwise marked by its unpredictability.

It doesn't necessarily follow that success at a global age-group competition leads to success at the higher level. Today is only the second time West Indies have contested the final. They were beaten by Pakistan, also in Bangladesh, in 2004. No one in either of those sides has even half the 74 Tests and 129 ODIs of Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies captain in that tournament, who is still going after an international career of a dozen years.

Once they outlive the age limit, some top teens drift away from the game into other pursuits; others won't develop sufficiently to qualify for Test or limited-overs selection.

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Commence or continue a career as professional cricketers and being paid handsomely do so!!

The last U19 team did not have the luxury to come home to that.

Another set of dribble from the old polo bear.

Let's deal with the new dispensation, alias contract issue.

The WICB issued in a new era by simply sharing its wealth across all regional players creating a more solid base for the future of WI cricket success.

This generation that drove us to the bottom of the pile wants to restrict this wrath to themselves.

That in essence is the contract issue.

WI has given the U-19's something to look forward too, long before they make the senior side.

In reply to Blackbird
Exactly what i'm saying, but no one seems to be seeing the big picture here. All these T20 hooligans want is the money for them selves and not to share it.