Nineteen-year-old Tarrique Edward left the island on Thursday to represent the West Indies Under19 in the upcoming15th edition of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, to be played in South Africa from 19 January to 11 February.
He is one of the players undergoing training and mentorship at the recently established High Performance Centre [HPC].
Edward is brimming with confidence after his latest accomplishments with the Windies U-19, tour of Sri Lanka for three Youth One-Day Internationals (50-over matches) and two four-day “Test” matches last August and September.
The young all-rounder, highly competitive with bat and ball and other departments of the game is looking forward to a bright future in the sport. He also had an impressive showing during the junior regional cricket competition last year.
For the ICC U-19 World Cup tournament, the West Indies have been drawn alongside hosts South Africa, Scotland, and England in Group B for their first-round matches. All three matches will be played at the J.B. Marks Oval in Potchefstroom. Before that, they will have warm-up matches against New Zealand and Nepal in Johannesburg.
Edward, before his departure, spoke to Voice Sports with optimism about his commitment and passion for the game. He is enthusiastic about playing his role to help his team compete at the highest level.
He described the HPC project as “a really nice programme, especially for young people coming up in this game of cricket.”
“There’s a lot more money involved and a lot more cricket tournaments nowadays, so I feel the HPC in Saint Lucia is ideal for someone growing up,” Edward said.
He adds that he “really likes” the HPC programme “because it keeps me at a very high intense level and it keeps me in a very suitable fitness levels.”
For the upcoming 1CC U-19 World Cup, he wants to perform well and contribute to the team’s chances for a shot at the title.
“I hope to bring a lot of intensity, lot of professionalism to keep the team together,” declared Edward. “I basically call myself ‘the glue’ of the team, raising my hand up in tough situations …and using my God given abilities to the best of my ability.”
He ranks calls the explosive Australian all-rounder Glen Maxwell as his cricketing idol and someone that he would like to emulate. Nonetheless, on the regional front, he is in awe of former West Indies captain and current head coach (white ball) of the Windies Senior Men’s squad Daren Sammy.
“From a young age, I always look up to Daren Sammy …his captaincy has the best leadership and he always finds a way to win games…,” he said.
Added Edward: “My role model and someone that I idolize is Glenn Maxwell. He has the ability to change the game and he is somebody that can win a game for his team…and I really learn from him and that inspires me to do my best every time I go out on the field.”
Edward is another player from Saint Lucia who has gone on to represent the Windies U-19, following the footsteps of Sammy, Johnson Charles, Kimani Melius, Akeem Auguste and others.
The young all-rounder rates himself as a “critical player” on the squad, determined and ready to do the utmost to make his team fully competitive.
He urged other young players to follow their dreams: “There is definitely potential in the game …because if from a young age you have a dream to play cricket, then you have to push ahead. You can have a bad year or a bad season, but it entails being strong mentally to continue …and doing what you have to do to reach the highest level.”