Cariah impresses Sir Gary in B’dos

Cariah, born on June 22 in 1992 comes from Coalmine in Sangre Grande. Form an early age Cariah expressed a keen interest in the game.

It was this love for the game of cricket that led his parents to have him enrolled at Moffet’s Coaching Clinic, a training camp based in Sangre Grande. Yannic was only six at the time.

In 1999, he was selected to participate in the “Chubby Cricket Clinic” an event sponsored by SM Jaleel and Co Limited. The programme was conducted by veteran former West Indies cricketer Larry Gomes.

The left-handed Gomes, nicknamed “Mr Dependable” had many fascinating comments about the young player’s raw talent even at this early stage in Cariah’s career.

In 2003, Cariah earned himself the title of “Cricketer of the Year” in the North East Zone and was voted Most Valuable Player of the KFC Under-13 Tournament.

That same year, Cariah was named captain of the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-13 team for the Goodwill Tour of Barbados.

At that tournament, he scored 153 not out, his highest total to date as TT secured the Inshan Ali trophy. Cariah was declared MVP of the tournament.

He again captained the national Under-13 team in the 2004 Goodwill Tour at home, and the team retained the Inshan Ali Trophy. Cariah was again recognised as the MVP of that tournament.

At 13, Yannic was selected to captain the Under-15s. The team participated in the West Indies Championships held in Antigua where he continued to make Trinidad and Tobago proud.

In July 2007, the El Dorado Senior Secondary School student was named one of the Top five players of the year in the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League.

Cariah emerged topscorer in the recent Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Tournament. Former West Indies cricketers Sirs Everton Weekes and Garfield Sobers are said to have been impressed with Cariah’s batting style, solid defence stance and discipline.

He is also an exemplar at school, ensuring that his education does not play “second fiddle” to the love of his life, cricket. Cariah’s popularity soared not because of the recognition he gained for the institution, but because of his gentle nature and caring personality.

In fact, one can almost say cricket, the gentleman’s game, has made Cariah the gentleman he is today.

On the Caribbeancricket.com website, Cariah is the hot topic of conversation. He is creating a web-based fan club from his performances at the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Tournament. He hopes to make cricket his life-long career.