Ugly side of youth cricket

I cannot speak about the under 17 and under 19 category but I have been informed that the same nonsense prevails at those levels also. Just listen to some of the semantics that unfolded prior to and during the just concluded regional under 15 tournament in Dominica in which this country’s performance was anything but disastrous:

Just prior to the tour, three long days were spent from 8 am to 6 pm per day on “mentorship” for the boys.

It would be useful to know how much the consultant was paid for this service. Mental preparation is always important in this game but it does not guarantee results today for tomorrow.

In any case, two of the guys still ended up fighting in Dominica. I would have gone for a half day seminar and used the limited time for organised match practice. Maybe Jamaica did just that because at the end of the day, they looked better on the green while our boys carried a three day certificate in their hands.

Certain players who performed excellently in the domestic zonal competition and excellently in the trials were asked to warm benches in the first game.

A total of five opening batsmen went on tour and some who did not make the first two spots for a particular match had to warm bench or bat at number eleven when they got selection for another game. Remember, this is regardless of whether they were in ripping form or had performed excellently domestically. Remember also, that we were embarrassed because there was in the main, a scarcity of runs.

The two fast bowlers on tour shared only eight overs in total between them in the entire competition because of the strong preference for four spinners to complete forty overs in every match. The decision maker should know better that part of the object was to ensure maximum selection from TT into the upcoming WI under 15 team and that there is no way that four spinners from this country will be selected because you have spinners in the other territories as well. It was imperative that you showcase a mix of talent as was done by the other nations.

I sat and noticed a routine pattern in that preferences were given to certain players who benefitted from three things namely, they played in all the games; batted at the top and bowled their quota of ten overs. Could something be happening here in our cricket folks? I am humbly suggesting to Mr Murray, to implement the necessary control mechanisms to ensure that nothing tampers with our precious under 13/15 cricket.

R ROOPNARINE

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