Coach for the Nevis under 15 cricket team, Gerard ‘Trini’ Charles, on Wednesday, June 3, expressed his delight at the sterling efforts of his youthful team in their recent engagements verses their Kittitian counterparts.
“If only I can see the kind of fighting spirit that I saw from those youngsters in some of our more senior cricketers, our Nevis teams would be doing a lot better,” he said.
He noted that the Nevis team won three of the matches easily but seemed set to lose the final game on Sunday, May 31.
The St.Kitts under 15 team, needed a mere 13 runs for victory, with 15 overs remaining and five wickets in hand.
According to Coach ‘Trini’, Carlon Tuckett was called on to bowl. He said it was a brave and daring move and one which was not approved by some of the Nevisian parents and supporters on hand.
“Even Carlon’s dad, Carl Tuckett told me not to bowl him at that crucial time,” he said. However, ‘Trini’ proceeded with his bold plan and to the amazement of all present, the young left arm leg spinner, turned the game completely on its head with amazing figures of 3.2 overs; 2 maidens; 4 wickets for 2 runs!
Nevis won the game quite handsomely in the end.
He also noted that he was pleased with the support that the team members gave each other.
“They cheered on each other; they supported with fantastic catches and at the end of that game, they surprised me when they produced four bottles of sparkling cider, indicating that they were celebrating with champagne,” stated the coach.
‘Trini’ is however not pleased with the selection process being recommended to come up with a Leeward Islands team.
He stated that the indication is that six players will be selected from between St.Kitts and Nevis; another six from between the Antigua and Montserrat teams and another six from the Anguilla and St. Maarten teams.
“I do not believe that the best players will be selected using that method,” he lamented.
He however, heartily congratulated his team for their excellent showing and noted that the future of Nevis cricket is in good hands, once the young guys continue to practice and maintain a level head.