Winlott WICB U19 Tournament
Over the past week in St. Lucia, the Windward Islands Cricket Board held its annual U19 One-Day Tournament with the likes of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines all going head to head for a shot at silverware. The tournament also acted as the selection grounds for the Windward Islands U19 Team which will participate in the West Indies U19 Tournament in July here in St. Vincent
The SVG U19 unit, led by Luke Wilson, had a good outing on their sister island. The tournament adopted the round-robin format for three matches with the top two teams then playing off for 1st place and the bottom two teams facing off for 3rd place. When the dust had settled, SVG had earned themself a 2nd-place finish behind the hosts, St. Lucia.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Journey
SVG U19 pictured after their arrival at the Argyle International Airport on Saturday
In SVG’s first encounter, they took on the Spice Isle, Grenada, at the Gros Islet Playing Field. After choosing to take to the field first, SVG was able to restrict Grenada to a total of 246 in 49.4 overs. In pursuit of this total, SVG appeared to be in a perilous situation but comprehensive innings by Javon Richardson Steered the team to a 2-wicket victory in the 48th over.
Overcoming the Nature Isle of Dominica in their second encounter proved to be an easier task for the Vincentian side. SVG elected to once again take to the field and was able to restrict Dominica to a tally of 219 in 48 overs. An exceptional knock by Reshawn Lewis of 137* from 80 balls (11 fours, 12 sixes) led the chase as his partnership with top-order batsman, Joe Williams, proved to be instrumental in getting the team over the line in just 28 overs for the loss of only 3 wickets. This victory also secured their place in the finals.
In their last match of the group stage, SVG took on the hosts at the DSCG in Beausejour where they would be given their first taste of defeat in the tournament. St. Lucia chose to bat after winning the toss and would go on to amass 240-9 off of their 50 overs. Unfortunately, SVG would be bowled out for a subpar 177 in 44 overs, awarding St. Lucia the victory by 63 runs.
The Finals of the Winlot WICB U19 Tournament would see SVG and St. Lucia facing off once more. SVG, once again, took to the field first and was able to dismiss all of St. Lucia’s batsmen for 202 runs compliments of a wonderful spell of fast bowling by Kirtney Franklyn (5-48 in 8.4 overs). Unfortunately, SVG’s batsmen were not able to make use of the excellent conditions for run-scoring and crumbled for a lowly total of 73. This would be St. Lucia’s second consecutive tournament victory after they also won last year’s tournament in Dominica, a tournament in which SVG finished in 4th place.
Vincentian, Kirtney Franklyn finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets to his name while his teammate, Reshawn Lewis, scored the first and only century of the tournament.
SVG U19 Return to Surprise
The SVG U19 Team and Management returned home on Saturday night where they were treated to a pleasant surprise made possible by some of the parents of the cricketers. Each player was presented with a bottle of champagne and provided with dinner by parents Lystra Culzac, Newton Browne, Rickie Grant and Rhodesia Grant
Some of the tokens presented to players upon their arrival
The gesture came as a surprise to the players and management who were not aware of the arrangements but the surprise was deeply appreciated.
Two of the parents, Rhodesia Grant and Lystra Culzac, who organised the surprise gesture for the team
The Team’s Assistant Coach and Executive member of the SVGCA, Elron Lewis, and the team’s manager, Parnell Browne, both extended a heartfelt thank you to the parents on the team’s and cricket associations’ behalf.
Assistant Coach and Executive SVGCA Memeber Elron Lewis and Parnell Browne thanked the parents for their gesture.
SVG Has Three Windwards U19 Picks
Following the conclusion of the tournament, selectors collaborated to select this year’s Windward Islands U19 team. Three Vincentians, Reshawn Lewis, Kirtney Franklyn and Solomon Bascombe all earned spots on this year’s squad while Luke Wilson was named as a part of the reserves.
The SVGCA congratulates the team and management on their greatly improved performances and thanks the parents of the cricketers for their truly amazing gesture.
