Three talented Antiguan cricketers will represent the Leeward Islands in the upcoming Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-15 Championship which begins Tuesday in Antigua and Barbuda. The tournament will showcase some of the region’s most promising young cricket talent.
Leading the Leeward Islands squad is J’quan Athanaze who returns for his fourth consecutive season in the competition. The batting all-rounder, son of former Leeward Islands bowling all-rounder Justin Athanaze, has set ambitious targets for the tournament, aiming to score at least three centuries.
Athanaze has already demonstrated his form with an impressive 98 against the Windward Islands in a recent warm-up match. Throughout the ABCA and Ministry of Sports competitions, he has accumulated four half-centuries, building confidence ahead of the championship.
“I just want you all to come and support us,” Athanaze said in a message to the Antiguan public. When asked about his inspiration, he credited his father and coach Ian “Pam” Tittle and Sylvester “Bouncing” Joseph for pushing him to excel in the sport.
Beyond cricket, Athanaze is also a talented footballer, having served as goalkeeper for the Princess Margaret School Under-20 team that won the Senior Finals in January. Despite his dual sporting abilities, Athanaze is clear about his future: “I want to become a professional cricketer for the West Indies Academy and the West Indies team.”
William Pitman, a bowling all-rounder, enters the tournament with determination following what he describes as a “rough start” to his first-class season. Despite the challenges, Pitman remains optimistic about his development.
“This year, my aim is to finish with the most wickets in the tournament and help my team secure the championship,” Pitman stated. Drawing inspiration from his brother Kelvin Pitman, a West Indies Academy player with whom he has a friendly rivalry, William aspires “to become the best cricketer in the world and play at the highest level possible.”
Selected for the second consecutive year, bowling all-rounder Ondre Peters has established specific objectives for the tournament: “I’m aiming to get more wickets, and as a bowling all-rounder, another goal is to score at least 30 not out when batting.”
Peters rates his “first-class” season an “8 out of 10,” acknowledging that he needs to improve his consistency with line and length. His cricket journey is supported by strong family influences, including his father, Orlando Peters, who serves as his personal coach, and his grandfather who teaches him batting techniques. “I would like to make cricket my job and captain the West Indies senior team,” Peters said when discussing his long-term aspirations.
Completing the leadership team is Karise Farrell from Nevis, who serves as vice-captain. Entering his second year in the tournament, Farrell has set his sights on finishing “among the top three run scorers in the tournament.”
Farrell, who recently returned from studying in England, currently plays T20 cricket for All-Stars in the first-class competition back home. His mother serves as his primary motivation, particularly “when I’m failing. That’s where she comes in the most,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Farrell aspires to become “a professional cricketer, probably to play for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the West Indies Senior team.”
The CWI Rising Stars Under-15 Championship begins Tuesday with the Leeward Islands team facing multiple opponents throughout the competition that runs until April 23. All matches will be streamed on YouTube and can be followed on WINDIES Cricket channels.
With the tournament being hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, the Leeward Islands team hopes to capitalize on home advantage as they compete against the region’s best young cricketers. Barbados are the defending Champions after their undefeated campaign last year.
