GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC

Young West Indies captain Steven Jacobs and vice-captain Shamarh Brooks have commended players seeking selection to the Youth World Cup squad for what they described as 'great commitment to the fitness programme'.

Jacobs and Brooks were disappointed that more batting and bowling could not be done due to the weather, but they felt they were impressed that the players still took the time to improve their fitness and their camaraderie.

Jacobs agreed that the fitness level and "closeness of the players" were positives of the camp-adding that since Guyana had no indoor facility, match preparation was affected.

"We can't control the weather and we have to work with what we have. So, all in all, I would say that the camp was very beneficial and the work put in by coach Clyde Butts and especially Reon King, has helped to improve us physically and mentally in a big way," said Jacobs.

"We were very comfortable and all the guys worked hard and we are now like a family, which I think is important when we go on tour far from home.

Young players

"We understand what it means to be representing the West Indies and I know everyone is eager to get into the final 15 and give their best since it is up to us the young players to set up and compete if West Indies cricket is to return to the glory days when Clive Lloyd's team was almost invincible."

Jacobs said he knew what cricket means to the region and that talent alone was not enough to be the best at the highest level.

"That is why I think the mental work we did here was important," he said. "All of the teams should have talent, but the ones that understand how to use that talent better and the ones that want success the most, usually win tournaments."

Brooks, the only surviving member of last year's team, echoed similar sentiments and he was impressed with the level of fitness among the players.

"While I feel we would have gotten a bit more in terms of actual batting and bowling practice if the camp was in Barbados or Trinidad because of the indoor facilities there, I think the main benefit here was the way the team gelled together as a unit," he said.

"We lacked match practice, but from the only game we played, I was pleased with the general showing of the guys."

Brooks, who played five matches in the last Youth World Cup and had a highest score of 44 against Australia, said unity and mental strength are critical factors if the West Indies are to do well in Malaysia. He was of the view that talent alone did not guarantee success.

"I feel we were maybe more talented than the rest of the teams in the last World Cup in Sri Lanka, but we fell down badly in the mental aspect of our cricket," he said.

"It is good to see so much time was spent addressing this part of our game and also the fitness area this time.

"There is nothing we could do about the weather, but maybe the rain helped in us getting to spend a bit more time on the off-the-field areas of our game and going to Malaysia with a united and mentally and physically tough team is very important."

Both Jacobs and Brooks feel the batting is the team's strength, while Jacobs thinks the versatility of the players could prove advantageous.

The Youth World Cup opens on Sunday, February 17, but West Indies play their first match against South Africa on Monday, February 18, at the Kinrara Cricket Academy in Group B, which also includes India and Papua New Guinea.