Jamaica Women’s Under-19 cricket Coach Carl Brissett says he sees a bright future in Lena Scott and Kate Wilmott, who were both selected for the West Indies youth team’s tour of India from November 7-25.

The Jamaicans — both from Westmoreland — are among a 23-member West Indies women’s Under-19 squad in Trinidad and Tobago engaging in trial games, plus skills and fitness sessions, guided by Head Coach Steve Liburd.

“I’m optimistic Lena and Kate will do very well because these two girls have a lot of confidence. They believe in their talents, they believe in their abilities, and they believe in themselves, so I expect them to do very well,” Brissett told the Jamaica Observer.

Brissett, who coached Jamaica at the inaugural regional Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship in Trinidad in July, said both players stood out despite the team finishing fourth.

The 19-year-old Scott, a right-handed, top-order batter who also keeps wicket, shook off a thigh injury to impress regional selectors at the tournament, which was won by the United States.

“When we took Lena Scott to Trinidad we took a chance because she wasn’t 100 per cent fit. But she’s a top player for us, and so we didn’t leave her.

“At the tournament everybody saw her class — she didn’t keep wicket in even one game because we didn’t want to put any strain on her thigh. She was as good as any other player at the tournament,” the Jamaica coach explained.

He said 18-year-old Wilmott, whose twin sister Kade is a national youth left-arm pacer, showed her class as a pace-bowling all-rounder.

“Kate was the fastest bowler at the tournament by a country mile. She bats number four or five in the order and made some runs at the tournament. She’s a true team player and is willing to encourage others. She’s quiet and soft-spoken but takes cricket very seriously,” Brissett said.

According to Cricket West Indies, the tour to India forms “a crucial part of the team’s preparations” for next year’s ICC Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup to be held January 14-29 in South Africa.

The Caribbean team is to feature in Group C of the tournament alongside New Zealand, Ireland, and Indonesia.

Squad — Asabi Callender, Kenika Cassar, Jahzara Claxton, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Destiny Edward, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Maria La Foucade, Namiah Marcellin, KDJazz Mitchell, Ashmini Munisar, Niveena Ramnauth, Cyanna Retemiah, Selena Ross, Shalini Samaroo, Shunelle Sawh, Abini St Jean, Lena Scott, Kate Wilmott.