JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) Operations Manager O’neil Cruickshank says the recent call-up of three local players to a West Indies preparation camp for the 2025 ICC Women’s Youth World Cup augurs well for the country’s development thrust.

The players — Aniesha Miller, Kimarie Campbell, Abigail Bryce — who are all from Jamaica’s Under-19 set-up, are set to depart for Antigua in early January for the camp which is scheduled to last a week and a half.

“The selection of the three young ladies to the West Indies preparation camp for [the] Under-19 World Cup is reward and vindication for the plans the JCA has put in place since 2018, particularly for female cricket development,” Cruickshank told the Jamaica Observer.

“The JCA only restarted an Under-19 female programme in 2019, and we lost the 2020 and 2021 years because of COVID-19. So we really only had three years of this programme, and to have three of our ladies being called… is a wonderful achievement.

“We have been encouraging them to dream, and work toward achieving those dreams. We wish them all the best on their journey and we will continue to work with them, their parents, and coaches to help them realise their full potential,” he said.

“The JCA cannot accept all the plaudits as we must recognise the work of schools, and club and parish coaches, and the people in leadership of these organisations in guiding and honing the skills of the players,” he added.

Cruickshank said the trio could pave the way for aspiring girls playing cricket in Jamaica.

“We will continue with our plans and programmes to unearth and develop talent — at all levels and gender — but we believe this latest call-up for the young ladies will serve also as a motivator for other young ladies who want to make cricket a worthwhile endeavour,” said the JCA’s cricket operations and development manager.

Miller, a 16-year-old off spinner, attends Muschett High in Trelawny while Bryce, also 16, is a batting all-rounder who went to Portland-based Happy Grove High before shifting to parish neighbours Port Antonio High.

Campbell, 17, is a medium pacer who is formerly of Port Antonio High.

National Under-19 women’s coach Carl Brissett, who heads the cricket coaching set-up at Port Antonio High, was delighted about the selections.

“I am very happy and I think all these girls deserve to be there. They have worked hard, they have done well and have been showing signs of improvement. I’m expecting great things from all the girls and I hope this can be a big step in their careers,” Brissett said.