Exciting young fast bowler Jayden Seales has his heart set on playing all formats for the West Indies following his impressive introduction to senior cricket in 2020. He has been selected in the West Indies Test team reserves squad for the Sandals Tour of New Zealand.
The 19-year-old from Basta Hall Couva in Trinidad who plays for the famous Queens Park cricket club, has stood out to Caribbean cricket fans in 2020 with his performances in the International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and the Caribbean Premier League.
“When I got the phone call I was very excited, stunned and thankful I got a call up to the senior team,” said Seales to CWI Media. “At this stage of my career I am keen to play all three formats for the West Indies, so I’m just looking forward to experiencing what it’s like to be with those guys and use the opportunity to learn as much as possible.”
He continued: “It was an amazing feeling playing in my first CPL and winning the title. It’s just now to learn from experience and move on from there. My favourite personal moment was running onto the field and celebrating winning the final against St Lucia Zouks. It was extra special because it was my birthday as well. Winning a title on your birthday is not something you get every day.”
Seales efforts have led former West Indies fast bowler and renowned global commentator Ian Bishop, who saw Seales up close in both tournaments, to tell CWI Media from Dubai at the Indian Premier League that he felt Seales is slightly more advanced than Alzarri Joseph was when he emerged after the 2016 World Cup winning West Indies Under-19 team.
“Similarly with Jayden, I think he is a little bit more advanced than what Alzarri was at that stage. So while I’m not saying Jayden has arrived, this is serious talent and everyone that has seen him thinks the same thing, hence why I think we need to expedite Jayden’s development as well,” said Bishop.
Before this year’s CPL, tournament organisers and Cricket West Indies for the second year in row made specific arrangements for emerging players like Seales to get more game time. CWI High Performance Director and West Indies Under-19 coach Graeme West was pleased by this exposure for Seales and other young players.
“The CPL was a great opportunity for Seales and other Under-19 players Ashmead Nedd, Kimani Melius and Nyeem Young. They played 17 games between them in the tournament so alongside Jayden who stood out they all got an opportunity to participate and perform and most importantly just to be around a professional environment with some world class players and international coaches,” said West. (CWI)
