P.J Patterson: U-19 offers hope for a revival in West Indies cricket

Jamaica Gleaner article.

One of the region's foremost cricket students, P.J. Patterson, said the success of the Under-19 team at the recent World Cup offers hope for a revival in West Indies cricket.

"It is the sign that there could be a new beginning. What has to happen is that the talents have to be harnessed. They ought to be properly handled and promoted," Patterson told The Gleaner.

Three Jamaicans, Michael Frew, Shahid Crooks and Odean Smith, were a part of the squad that defeated India by five wickets in Bangladesh two Sundays ago to win the title.

The former Jamaican prime minister, who led a team which proposed far-reaching changes to the structure of cricket in the region, said it is important the Under-19s are properly managed.

"They are under 19, so you can't be exposing them to the hazards of constant competition without ensuring that the body structure is properly developed," Patterson said.

"I wish that they will be taken in hand as we could see a restoration in the near future of West Indies cricket fortunes," he added.

Patterson, in his 2007 report prepared for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the development of West Indies cricket, said "a strong foundation is an absolute necessity if West Indies cricket is to have a solid and permanent superstructure".

"School cricket is this foundation or base and needs to be greatly strengthened," he recommended.

I totally agree with Mr. Patterson. The West Indies Cricket Board should grasp the opportunity, in trying to do all that is possible to try to develop these youngers, to keep them interested and fully motivated. Too often we have seen the emergence of promising talent, however, in many instances, they seem to quickly lose focus and also lose effectiveness.

This U-19 team was fantastic ... but unfortunately under the present regime of the WICB ....the enthusiasm and fight shown by these guys will be culled.  They ain't going no where re WI team's future !! :-[