Lequay happy over Under-19s victory

‘’I am a very happy man and indeed the regional under-19 victory by the Trinidad and Tobago team in St Vincent justifies the Planning and Strategic Committee’s (of the TTCB) approach to the preparation of teams for competitive games," according to Lequay, CEO of the TTCB.

He said, "You see, positive developmental thrust does not happen overnight. It is a calculated and well-organised plan that aims at allround preparation including skills, the physical aspect, mental focus and even the spiritual, as well as rest, and proper dieting, that have to be put into place to produce a winning combination, as we have done with the Under 15 Team, winning on four occaasions in six years, and now the Under 19 Team 19 squad."

He noted from newspaper reports that the playing fields were not up to standard, "but be that as it may our victory reminds me of India’s spinning combination of Bishan Bedi, Chandrashekar and Venkataragavan, who were responsible for India’s sparkling performances at one point in time," and in that regard I would like to pay tribute to the spinniing stars on TT’s team — Dane Teelucksingh, Sunil Narine and Rishi Bachan, all three of whom played a significant role in our team’s superb all-round display that helped us to capture the 2005 title."

He noted that the "batting of all teams did not live up to expectations and this was a sore point for West Indies Cricket. There must now be a greater degree of concentration on that aspect of the game if we are really keen on regaining the internationational fortunes of West Indies Cricket."

"To the detractors of the TTCB, who are saying that we are doing very little in the development area, I say, please note," Lequay stressed.