On the heels of a two day practice match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) where a whopping 682 runs were scored for the loss of 30 wickets, the selection panel under the Chairmanship of former national cricketer, Keith Charlery convened and selected seventeen players to continue preparation for the 2019 Windward Islands Senior Men’s Cricket tournament scheduled for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, April 2nd -11th 2019.
By all indication, the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association will be hoping this time around that good fortunes will favour Saint Lucia and the team will bring home the championship trophy.
The 17 man training squad reads: Johnson Charles, former West Indies ODI opening batsman and captain of the Saint Lucia squad last year, Larry Edward and Tarryck Gabriel (current Windward Island senior players), Audy Alexander, Dornan Edward, Stephen Naitram, Dillan John, Kevin Augustin, Kester Charlemagne, Junior Henry, Shadrack Descartes, and Jamal James.
Also included in the 17 man training squad and leading the charge amongst the Under-19 players is West Indies Under-19 ICC Cricket World Cup opening batsman and Saint Lucia reigning Junior Sportsman for the Year 2018, Kimani Melius. The other youth players included are Garvin Serieux, AckeemAuguste, Simeon Gerson and Keegan Arnold.
Interestingly, not in the final 17 this time around is top order batsman KeddyLesporis who was vice captain to Johnson Charles last year. Lesporis and Dalton Polius are currently playing semiprofessional cricket in Trinidad and Tobago. Jeremy Marshall is Saint Lucian but lives in Barbados. All of these young men, including Collinus Calendar, were in the final 13 last year.
Many would remember last year’s reserves as well, Johnnel Eugene, Tonius Simon, Craig Emmanuel and Vidal Crandon.
Meanwhile, in last weekend’s practice match at the DSCG, Jamal James X1 defeated Kimani Melius X1 by 10 wickets. Kimani Melius’ team batting first scored 140 for the loss of 9 wickets in 37.3 overs. Captain Kimani Melius top scored with 48 that included 8 – 4s and 1 six, Vidal Calderon 26, Tonius Simon 22, CollinusCallender 14 and Joshua Mann 11.
Bowling for Jamal James X1, right arm medium fast bowler Dillon John picked up 4 for 33 from 10 overs, Kester Charlemange 2 for 32 from 12 overs, Keegan Arnold 1 for 19 and ShadrackDescarte 1 for 35.
At their turn, Jamal James X1 amassed 328 all out in 95.1 overs with Dornan Edward scoring 109 from 167 deliveries. Edward hit 11 boundries in his 189 minute stay at the wicket; other valuable contributions with the bat came from Kester Charlemagne 48, Mateo Boulogne 42, captain Jamaal James 40 and Garvin Serieux 21.
Extras a healthy 24 that included 11 byes, 3 leg byes, 6 wides and 4 no balls.
Bowling for Melius X1, Garvin Serieux 2 for 7 from 4 overs, CollinusCalender 2 for 38 from 9 overs, AkimAuguste 2 for 51 from 7 overs, Simeon Gerson 2 for 71 from 24 overs and 1 wicket each for Tonius Simon and Jonathan Mann.
Batting a second time and with 188 runs deficit, Melius X1 made heavy weather getting there and eventually were bowled out for 203 in 45.3 overs. Middle order batsman Tonius Simon top scored with 48 not out, Kimani Melius 38, CollinusCalender 34 and Junior Henry 30.
Bowling for Jamal James X1, Kegan Arnold bagged 4 for 31 from 7.3 overs, Dornan Edward 3 for 50 from 14 overs, and 1 wicket each for Kester Charlemange and Jamal James.
Needing 17 for victory, James X1 reached their target in 3 overs with both openers, Steven Naitram and Mateo Boulogne remain 8 not out.
