Two of Saint Lucia’s brightest cricketing talents, Ackeem Auguste and McKenny Clarke, will be on display in the coming weeks as the West Indies Academy face Sri Lanka’s Emerging Players in a five-match series in Antigua and Barbuda from June 7 to 26.
The tour includes two four-day first-class matches and three 50-over fixtures, to be played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, respectively. The young West Indies have been in preparation for the past week, with all players briefly returning home after the inaugural West Indies Breakout T20 League, where Clarke triumphed with the Trinidad and Tobago Legions, before regrouping in St John’s.
For both players, this series marks another pivotal step in their careers. Auguste, a former West Indies Under-19 captain, was part of the Saint Lucia Kings’ Caribbean Premier League-winning squad last year and also attended a training camp in India last December with a group of emerging West Indian players.
This series aligns with Cricket West Indies’ long-term strategy to develop the region’s top talent through international exposure. The matches come at an ideal time for the Academy players, who recently competed as a unit in the West Indies Championship.
Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasised the importance of competitive cricket for the Academy’s growth.
“These matches serve as a critical component in the pathway development of our emerging players,” he said. “There is a strategic plan in terms of bridging the gap between the junior and senior levels and the games against Sri Lanka will be used to continue sharpening and equipping our best prospects for the next level.”
Head coach Ramesh Subasinghe is eager to see his players showcase their skills.
The West Indies Academy remains committed to learning, development and long-term growth. “Over the past seven months, our players have made steady progress on and off the field, growing as cricketers and young men,” he said. “This series against the Sri Lankan Emerging Players is an important opportunity for us to test our skills against an international team, identify areas we can develop and continue building for the future of West Indies cricket.”
Match Schedule
- 7–10 June: 1st four-day match at CCG – 10 a.m.
- 14–17 June: 2nd four-day match at CCG – 10 a.m.
- 21 June: 1st 50-over match at SVRS – 9:30 a.m.
- 24 June: 2nd 50-over match at SVRS – 9:30 a.m.
- 26 June: 3rd 50-over match at SVRS – 9:30 a.m.
