TWO Saint Lucian players have been included in an 18-man West Indies ‘Rising Stars’ Under 19 team for a tour of England from Saturday 4th to Friday 17th September 2021. The West Indies will play six Youth One-Day Internationals at The County Ground, Beckenham, and The Polo Farm, Canterbury.
Saint Lucian Ackeem Auguste has been appointed skipper with Giovonte Depeiza (Barbados) as vice-captain.
The other Saint Lucian player is right arm fast bowler Mc Kenney Clarke (Central Castries).
Missing out are Udell Preville (Gros Islet), Tyron Theodore (Vieux Froth North) and Keegan Arnold (Central Castries). The trio was part of a 52 man squad in Antigua out of which emerged the final 18-man squad.
Auguste joins an elite group of Saint Lucian cricketers who have gone on to captian a West Indies team. John Eugene in 1992 -1993, West Indies Under 23 against a touring Pakistani team, Daren Sammy in all three formats, T20I, ODI and Test and Kimani Melius, the ICC Under 19 World Cup in 2020.
Rohan Nurse is the acting head coach in the absence of Floyd Reifer who is unavailable due to previous contractual arrangements with the Caribbean Premier League currently ongoing in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Meanwhile, President of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Carol Henry said that all of Saint Lucia have reason to register tremendous excitement and pride with the news that two of its very own, 17 year old Ackeem Auguste and 18 year old Mc Kenny Clarke, have been selected on the final 18 man West Indies Under 19 ‘Rising Stars’ squad to tour England.
“Ackeem, who is a left-hand bat and right arm leg spin bowler and has been prolific with the bat in local domestic competition, at national and regional levels, will captain the team in England, a major, not surprising achievement. He scored two centuries in two practice games and from incoming reports, has demonstrated high level, impressive leadership qualities to earn him the captaincy. Mc Kenny is a tear-away fast bowler who has caught the eye of local and regional officials with his raw pace and potency. He was particularly devastating in the final trial game, capturing 4 wickets for 9 runs,” Henry said.
According to Henry, “The players didn’t do it alone, their parents, Wayne and Nedia Auguste and Curtis and Erica Clarke must be commended for their belief, courage, unwavering support and investment in their young charges.”
Henry also thanked the coaches: “The coaches along the way, among them, Keith Charlery, Alton Crafton, and John Eugene take the credit for providing the technical training and expertise.”
The SLNCA president took a time out to congratulate the players for this achievement and wish the young men well in their exciting journey onwards.
West Indies U19 ‘Rising Stars’ Squad: Ackeem Auguste (captain), Giovonte Depeiza (vice-captain), Onaje Amory, Anderson Amurdan, Justin Beckford, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, McKenny Clarke, Rivaldo Clarke, Nathan Edward, Andel Gordon, Sion Hackett, Justin Jagessar, Johann Layne, Anderson Mahase, Matthew Nandu, Isai Thorne and Vasant Singh.
Match schedule – Saturday, September 4th: 1st Youth ODI – Beckenham, Monday, 6th: 2nd Youth – Beckenham, Wednesday, 8th: 3rd Youth ODI – Beckenham, Friday, 10th: 4th Youth ODI – Canterbury, Tuesday, 14th: 5th Youth ODI – Canterbury and Friday, 17th: 6th Youth ODI – Canterbury.
