ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Cricket West Indies will stage its first junior male age group tournament of the year when the Rising Stars Under-15s Championship bowls off here next Tuesday.

The 50-over tournament, which runs from April 4-12, will be played across five rounds at three venues — the Vivian Richards Stadium, Coolidge Cricket Ground, and the Liberta Sports Club

“I want to congratulate the players who have earned selection to play in the upcoming West Indies Rising Stars Under-15s Championship and who will have the honour of representing their regional teams,”said CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams.

“This is a step in their development, and we want to wish them the very best.

“Last year we saw the restart of this tournament, after a break due to COVID-19, and we were able to see a number of excellent performances, and we anticipate more of the same this year.

“This is a critical step in pathway from the grass-root stage and we want to continue to ensure we provide those opportunities for the players to grow and flourish.”

Title-holders Barbados will take on Jamaica in the opening round at Liberta while hosts Leeward Islands clash with Windward Islands at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana will do battle at Coolidge in the other fixture.

Later this year, CWI will stage the Rising Stars Under-17 Championship in Trinidad and the Rising Stars Under-19 Championship in St Vincent, featuring three-day matches and 50-over fixtures.