ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Champions Jamaica will start their title defence against Barbados when the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Under-15 Championship bowls off in St Kitts today.

The Jamaicans will be attempting to follow in the footsteps of their Under-17 team which won that inaugural tournament in Tobago a fortnight ago.

Warner Park, which hosted the one-day tripleheader between West Indies and New Zealand over the last week, will play host to this key encounter.

The other two matches in the round will see hosts Leeward Islands clashing with Trinidad and Tobago at Molineaux and Guyana taking on Windward Islands at Conaree.

In the second round, Jamaica will come up against Leewards at Conaree while Barbados face Guyana at Molineaux.

Trinidad & Tobago and Windward Islands will do battle at Warner Park.

The tournament will consist of 15 two-day matches which run from July 18-31.