Jamaica, Barbados for opening game

The West Indies Under-15 Championship bowls off this morning in Trinidad and Tobago with defending champions Jamaica meeting fancied Barbados in the feature attraction at Inshan Ali Park.



Both sides are confident heading into the fixture, but Jamaica manager Ephraim McLeod indicated his side had an incentive to do well.



McLeod says the players are looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the national senior side which won this year’s regional first-class championship and the Under-19 side which won their age-group competition.



Three members of last year’s victorious team are back in the squad. They are wicketkeeper/batsman and captain Aldane Thomas, batsman Brandon King and fast bowler Maquino Mindley.



Barbados coach Dexter Topping says his side’s preparations went fairly well and the players are looking forward to translating it into the competitive aspect of the games.



In the remaining games today, hosts Trinidad and Tobago will open against Leeward Islands at the National Cricket Centre, and Windward Islands will face Guyana at Gilbert Park.



All matches are 50 overs-a-side and start this morning at 8.30 a.m. Jamaica time.