Bright future awaits Jamaica Under 19 cricketers

Jermaine Lannaman

STAR Writer

Jamaica Under-19 selection panel chairman Wayne Lewis sees a very bright future for the Jamaican members of the West Indies Under-19 team, which captured the ICC Under-19 World Cup title.

The trio have all expressed an interest in progressing further in the game to which Lewis is looking forward.

"They are talented," Lewis said.

"Odean Smith is super talented, broad shoulders, hit the deck very hard, and, when he hits sixes, he hits 12. He should get more than six when he hits the ball. He also plays within the 'V' as well."

Smith, a pace bowling all-rounder, is a student of Maggotty High in St Elizabeth.

Jamaica Under-19 captain, off-spin all-rounder Michael Frew participated throughout the three-week tournament.

"Frew is a good off-spin bowler, who also bats as well, and have genuine leadership abilities," said Lewis.

"Crooks who, while he did not get to play a match, has the making of being a very good batsman, and, expressed that he is very determined to continue playing cricket."

Meanwhile, looking ahead of this year's regional Under-19 tournament, Lewis,and the panel which includes former national senior selector, Ephraim McLeod, Robert Samuels and Junior Dean, are expectant.

He said a new management team is being assembled, and at the end of the tournament, they hope to unearth new talents for the next Youth World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2018.

"We are expecting that we will do good again this year with about four or five players expected to return," Lewis commented.

"We have just confirmed Odelmo Peters as the new manager, and we have had our first meeting about the season. He will be assisting Robert Samuels, who is our coach, and the hope is that we will be able to put together a good synergy," he said.