Local cricket riding a crest

Second vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Dudnath Ramkeesoon has boldly stated that local cricket is in a very healthy state. “Judging by the number of youths doing so well in the Carib National League, I can say with some authority that local cricket in Trinidad and Tobago is in a healthy position,” Ramkeesoon said. The 1978 West Indies youth team captain said the Carib National League is very competitive judged by the fact that just one point separated the top teams in this year’s tournament. Ceramic Merryboys Cricket Club won the championship by one point over First Citizens Clarke Road United.  For the past three seasons the top flight has been very tight with the eventual winners scraping home. “When youths are performing well, then you know that the future of the game is safe.

A short while a back the veterans were dominating the leagues and the youths were just passengers. If you look around now the youths are doing much better and challenging their more illustrious colleagues,” the former Presentation College, Chaguanas captain and star batsman said. “Generally youth cricket in Trinidad and Tobago has improved tremendously over the past few seasons and this augers well for the future of the game in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. Trinidad and Tobago Under-15 cricket team won the regional title for three successive years from 2000 to 2002. The Under-19 team have been runners-up three times in the past four years, while the Under-13s have enjoyed success against their Barbadian counterparts on an annual basis. Ramkeesoon, who is also chairman of the National League Cricket Committee added that things have been put in place for the development of the cricketers. “And now things are working out for us. The Sir Frank Worrell Development Cricket Centre is fully equipped with all the modern technology and our players have a huge advantage over the others in the region. “We also have good home grown coaches who can impart their knowledge to the youngsters while they are at the centre. I see no need really for a foreign coach to be attached to the centre. “What I think makes sense is to bring in a man like Rodney Marsh from Australia to work with our local coaches at the centre to develop their teaching skills, so that they can be better equipped to handle the youngsters,” Ramkeesoon said.