Coach Corke hails amazing U-15s

Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's victorious regional Under-15 cricket team yesterday received a warm reception home upon their arrival from this year's championship in Trinidad and Tobago. The young Jamaicans, who defeated Barbados by four wickets in their final match of the tournament on Friday, to capture the title, were met at the Norman Manley International Airport by Jamaica Cricket Association officials, family, friends and well-wishers.

The Terrence Corke-coached Jamaicans finished atop the standings with 40.1 points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago (34.6).

"The performances were amazing," said Corke. "I am very happy knowing that we put it across Trinidad and Tobago because they pinched us last year, and knowing that we beat them this year that makes very happy," he said.

Corke added that despite the lack of match practice and training sessions before the start of the championship the players went out and represented the country well.

Delighted

"We weren't as prepared as we wanted to be, but we went out there knowing these are the best Under-15 players in Jamaica, and we told them that and they went out and they played like true champions, and I am very proud of them," Corke said.

Captain and off-spinner Ramaal Lewis, who was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 22 dismissals, was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the championship.

Lewis was very delighted with his performance. "I am feeling great right now," said Lewis, who attends the St Elizabeth Technical High School.

"This was the goal that I set for myself before I went over there, and so I just went out and pitched the ball in the right areas and I got the wickets," Lewis said.

The 14-year-old Lewis was also voted the MVP of the Jamaican team. He added: "I am a very confident player and my teammates feed off this, so we just went out and got the job done for the country."