West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor catches the ball while youngsters who are participating in the Digicel Cricket Clinic look on at Sabina Park yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Twenty-four of the nation's top Under-15 cricketers are getting first-hand tips from West Indies cricketers Chris Gayle and Jerome Taylor, along with former players Kenny Benjamin, Jimmy Adams and Robert Samuels at the Digicel Cricket Clinic, which began yesterday and ends today at Sabina Park.

The youngsters from whom the national Under-15 team will be selected for next year's regional tournament, of which Jamaica are defending champions, were put through the paces by the Windies stars and national Under-15 coach, Terrence Corke, who expressed delight with the two-day venture.

"The more cricketing opportunities that youngsters at this level are exposed to, the better it will be for their development and to learn from the best in the game is an added bonus," said Corke.

Competitions

The children, most of whom were involved in several national and club competitions and training camps throughout the holidays, were yesterday morning lectured on the significance of fielding, attacking and defensive batting and running between the wickets, facets of the game that Benjamin believes are important at the grassroots level.

The youngsters were put through batting and bowling exercises in the evening and before today's closing ceremony, they will put into practice what they have learnt, while contesting a match.

"The clinic lends itself to giving opportunities to youngsters to further their development. They have already been exposed to the basics by their various coaches at the school, club and national levels and with us being here, it is a matter of strengthening those points," said Benjamin, who represented the West Indies in 26 Tests and 26 one-day internationals.

The Jamaican leg of the clinic, which was officially launched by Digicel's head of marketing, Wayne Miller, before the skills sessions yesterday is the second of a six-nation Caribbean venture.

The first, which was held in the British Virgin Islands last weekend, saw Gayle and WI vice-captain Denesh Ramdin - who along with Taylor are Digicel ambassadors - leading the way. The others clinics will be held in Barbados, Dominica, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos.

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Keith Arthurton are WI representatives taking part in the clinics.

"The Digicel Cricket Clinics are a great opportunity for aspiring young cricketers to learn some valuable skills to improve their game and to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with star players who are recognisable and respected on the global stage," said Miller.