DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Guyana begin their quest for a third consecutive TCL West Indies Under-19 cricket title when they oppose the Leeward Islands at Kensington Oval today.

Guyana have retained five players from last year's successful team. They are new captain Eugene La Fluer, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin, Seon Hetmyer, leg-spinner Jonathan Foo, left-arm back-of-the-hand spinner Totaram Bishun and Leon Scott.

A fourth spinner, off-break bowler Steven Latcha, is also in the team while former Guyana Under-15 batsman Royston Alkins also bowls useful off-spin but there are also four fast bowlers, including all-rounder Dilon Heliger in the team.

Debutant left-handed opening batsman Royan Fredericks will be La Fluer's deputy.

At Banks, One-Day champions Jamaica, who were forced to replace West Indies Under-15 representatives John Campbell and Donovan Nelson because of a bout of chickenpox, will face Trinidad and Tobago, once again led by first-class player Adrian Barath.

Jermaine Cole and Courtney Allen have replaced Campbell and Nelson in the side. Apart from Barath, all-rounder Kjorn Ottley, fast bowler Brent Cameron and off-spinner Vaaroon Samaroo are returning. (EZS)

UNDER-19 SQUADS

BARBADOS - Kyle Corbin (captain), Marrodon Bend, Rashidi Boucher, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Dario Cummins, Randall Hoyte, Jason Holder, Jeremy Marshall, Raymon Reifer, Shadd Simmons, Kemal Smith, Diego Stuart, Dario Vaughan.

Officials - Livingstone Puckerin (manager), Dexter Toppin (coach)

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WINDWARD ISLANDS - Keron Cotoy (captain), Marvin Small, Dillon Johnson, Wayne Harper, Micah Narine, Cavin Hodge, Junior Jervier, Alton Audain, Vincent Lewis, Oscar George, Dalton Polius, Audy Alexander, Denis Smith, Rudolph Paul.

Officials - Sean Edwards (manager), Raymond Duncan (coach).

GUYANA - Eugene La Fluer (captain), Royan Fredericks (vice-captain), Trevon Griffith, Jeetendra Sookdeo, Seon Hetmyer, Jonathan Foo, Royston Alkins, Anthony Bramble, Dilon Heliger, Herman Steven Latcha, Kevon Joseph, Totaram Bishun, Leon Scott, Keyron Fraser.

Officials - Alvin Johnson (manager), Hubern Evans (coach).

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LEEWARD ISLANDS - Kieran Powell (captain), Adelvin Phillip, Kelbert Walter, Kenroy David, Damien Williams, Jamar Hamilton, Tevin Osbourne, Jurnell Turner, Sherynl Burns, Cleton Payne, Kadeem Phillip, Kejel Tyson, Sherwin Peters, Chesney Hughes.

Officials - Basil Morgan (manager), Winston Benjamin (coach).

JAMAICA - Andre Creary (captain), John Campbell, John-Ross Campbell, Romeo Dunka, Garth Garvey (vice-captain), Patrick Harty, Kennar Lewis, Horace Miller, Donovan Nelson, Maverick Perry, Jermaine Blackwood, Richard Simpson, Gifton Wray, Nick Blackwood.

Officials - Fritz Harris (manager), Andre Coley (coach).

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TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Adrian Barath (captain), Kjorn Ottley (vice-captain), Yannick Cariah, Marc Panchu, Evin Lewis, Akiel Cooper, Brent Cameron, Omesh Ramoutar, Javed Boodram, Sheldon Durgan, Hakim Mitchell, Vaaroon Samaroo, Aaron Alfred and Ako George.

Officials - William Wallace (manager), Larry Gomes (coach).