ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Team Headley captain Joshua Da Silva has pledged there will be no underestimating the youthful West Indies Academy despite their relative inexperience and has said his side will “play our hearts out” in the opening game of the Headley Weekes Tri-Series.
The two teams meet on Wednesday in the first four-day fixture of the Tri-Series at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
“[We’re] not going to take them lightly at all. They have some quality players even though they haven’t played first-class cricket. Some of them, we know they can bat, and we know they’ve been training, and coach [Andre] Coley has been working with them a lot,” said West Indies wicketkeeper Da Silva.
“So the boys are not going to take them lightly at all, and we’re going to play our hearts out and try and knock them over pretty quickly to show that we have some veterans on our team.”
While Da Silva is one of only two active Test players on his side, there are those with extensive international careers, like left-handers Darren Bravo and Kieran Powell, who have already played 100 Tests.
Fast bowlers Marquino Mindley and Anderson Phillip have already made their Test debuts. At the same time, Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner, is the other active player in the most extended format, having featured in the regional side’s three-match series against South Africa last month.
Team Headley also includes experienced right-hander Sunil Amrbis who has represented West Indies in Tests and One-Day Internationals,
“It looks like a pretty balanced team. We have a mix of veterans and youngsters, so it’s just to try and learn from them and help the others to learn some things as well,” Da Silva explained.
“I will learn from Bravo and Sunil myself – they’ve played a lot of cricket. So I’m just looking forward to playing with all the boys.”
The Tri-Series, which also features Team Weekes, comprises three matches and will run from April 19 to May 6.
In the second match starting April 26, Team Weekes clash with West Indies Academy and will face Team Headley from May 3-6.
Team Weekes and Team Headley comprise the leading performers from the just concluded West Indies Championship.
Da Silva said the Tri-Series was welcomed, especially as it afforded the players the opportunity for an extended first-class season.
“We get to play more cricket – we only played five games in the first-class setup,” said the 24-year-old.
“So to get two more games under our belt and to have these as first-class games also helps. It goes towards your stats, so the boys aren’t going to take it lightly – everybody loves their stats.
“So at the end of the day, we’re going to play as hard as we can, and we’re looking to win.”
SQUADS:
TEAM HEADLEY – Joshua Da Silva (captain), Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kieran Powell, Tevyn Walcott.
WEST INDIES ACADEMY – Kevlon Anderson, Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop, Teddy Bishop, McKenny Clarke, Rivaldo Clarke, Joshua James, Johann Layne, Kirk McKenzie, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Keagan Simmons, Ramon Simmonds, Kevin Wickham, Nyeem Young
and then 