The West Indies Under-17 Championship began today in Trinidad, marking the start of an intense, multi-format showcase running until September 2. This flagship youth tournament, part of the West Indies Rising Stars development program, features both 50-over white-ball matches and two-day red-ball contests, designed to challenge and refine the skills of the region’s brightest young talents.
The competition opens with five rounds of 50-over fixtures between August 12 and August 20, before switching to the two-day format from August 23 to August 31. Matches will be played across multiple venues, including the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, and Gilbert Park. Each ground offers unique playing conditions, ensuring players are tested in varied environments.
The participating teams represent Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and Guyana, making the tournament a melting pot of styles and cricketing cultures. This format mix will expose players to contrasting challenges—white-ball games demanding quick scoring and fielding agility, and red-ball fixtures testing patience, technique, and endurance.
Guyana’s squad, led by captain Romario Ramdeholl and vice-captain Parmeshwar Ram, arrived in Trinidad with renewed confidence. Backed by the Guyana Cricket Board’s support and newly provided equipment, the team is eager to make a mark. They open their campaign against the Windward Islands at the National Cricket Centre.
Cricket West Indies has intentionally crafted this dual-format structure to produce adaptable cricketers capable of thriving at the international level. By encouraging young players to shift seamlessly between formats, the tournament develops versatility, tactical understanding, and resilience—qualities essential for the demands of modern cricket.
Over the next few weeks, players will face not only their peers but also the mental and technical pressures that come with high-stakes competition. For coaches and selectors, the championship provides an invaluable scouting opportunity to identify and nurture future stars who could one day represent the West Indies on the global stage.
In essence, the West Indies Under-17 Championship is not just a competition—it’s a training ground for tomorrow’s leaders in Caribbean cricket. With pride, skill, and opportunity on the line, the action in Trinidad promises to be a defining chapter in many young careers.