Saint Lucia selects two squads to take on Dominica in historic U-23 Series

The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association has released the names of the cricketers selected to represent the island this weekend in the Under-23 Cricket Series against Dominica at the Mindoo Philip Park.

The format of the inaugural tournament will be a 3-day match to be played August 17 – 19, followed by two 50-over matches on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd, 2024.

The 50-Over squad is-: Ackeem Auguste (captain), Kimani Melius (vice-captain), Bolton Sayers, Noelle Leo, Stephen Abraham, Keon Gaston, Tyrel Chicot, Royce Paul, Lee John, Isiah Jones, Simeon Gerson, Zaire Antoine, Josan James, Shawnil Edward, Davin Forde, and Jayden Elibox.

The three-day squad is-: Kimani Melius (captain), Ackeem Auguste (vice-captain), Amari Venner, Kensley Paul, Bolton Sayers, Noelle Leo, Stephen Abraham, Keon Gaston, Tyrel Chicot, Royce Paul, Lee John, Isiah Jones, Simeon Gerson, Zaire Antoine, Aaron Joseph, Shawnil Edward, Sky Lafeuille, and Jayden Elibox.

Chairman of the Selection Committee Craig Emmanuel thinks highly of the Under-23 Cricket Series as “it is a very, very important pillar in terms of development of our young cricketers.”

He added that the tournament will also give an opportunity to the players who would have not possibly made the cut for senior national representation to somewhat make a case for themselves in the under-23 series and that would somewhat bolster their chances come the next round of senior national representation.

“I think the Under 23 Series serves pretty much as a two-fold venture, somewhat to give the selectors an opportunity to create and perhaps see the landscape in terms of player resources that they have at their disposal, and not just what they have in front of them,” outlined the Chairman.

He continued to say that it will give the players who seem to have fallen into a lull after graduating from U-19 cricket a bit of a second honeymoon in terms of finding themselves once more and making a stronger and better case for national representation.

According to the information, both squads will be coached by John Eugene – former Saint Lucia, Windward Islands, and West Indies’ A’ middle-order batsman, and the assistant coach is Dalton Polius.

Emmanuel says, “The players are eager to get going, and as chief selector, I’m looking forward to nothing less than impressive, enterprising cricket, and these guys have been quite active.”

The squad’s head coach, John Eugene, resonated the sentiments of chief selector Craig Emmanuel, saying, “I think basically this Under-23 Series is a very important one and a very unique one in the sense that it gives a lot of opportunities and hope for players who have just crossed over 19 years and have not got an opportunity to be in the senior setup.”