Trinidad and Tobago's men' under-19 cricketers will begin their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men's Under-19 Rising Star Championships with a clash against Barbados at the Sion Hill Playing Field in St Vincent from July 11-12.
Initially scheduled to begin on July 2, the start of the championships was delayed after Hurricane Beryl ravaged through the Caribbean last week – wreaking havoc on host country St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Carriacou and Jamaica.
CWI revealed the revised tournament schedule on July 8, saying the tournament has "undergone significant changes due to Hurricane Beryl's passage."
The competing teams Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, TT and hosts Windward Islands were scheduled to play a three-day competition, followed by a 50-over tourney. The 50-over competition remains intact, but a two-day tourney will now replace the previously scheduled three-day competition. Four rounds of two-day matches will be played, to go along with five rounds of 50-over matches.
The CWI release said the Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Leewards contingents were expected to land in St Vincent on July 8, with the TT team scheduled to arrive on July 10. The Windward Islands team is already in St Vincent.
For the two-day competition, TT have been placed in group A alongside Jamaica and Windwards, with Barbados, Guyana and the Leewards in group B. The unique tournament format will see each team playing their two group opponents, to go along with one team from another group.
CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said the organisers were ready to host the tournament and he thanked the players for their "patience and understanding during this period."
"Following an assessment by our cricket department, I am pleased to confirm that the pitches and outfields are in excellent condition," Bascombe said.
"Additionally, electricity and water services have been fully restored at all venues and accommodation facilities...I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the quick and efficient reorganisation of the championship. Your dedication has ensured we can proceed as planned."
The CWI release said the tourney will finish on July 31 as originally scheduled, and it assures teams will "have a balance of match time to develop their skills and adequate time for recovery between matches."
TT manager Kerwin John said the players will have to adjust to the revised format, but he said they are eager to hit the ground running.
"We remember the mistakes from last year. We won't be making the same mistake again," John told Newsday.
"If the new format hampers us, it will hamper the other teams as well. If you're looking at getting outright wins, you will have to score at a faster rate than previously planned and be able to bowl out the opposition twice as well."
John said first-innings points have been introduced for the two-day tournament, and he reckons most teams will try to attain that goal due to the revised format.
Similar to the ongoing CWI women's Under-19 Twenty/20 Championships,
