BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (CMC):

The most dominant team in the history of West Indies Under-19 cricket with 13 titles, two times defending TCL three-day champions Guyana have never managed a limited overs title since the one-day format was hastily arranged in Trinidad to salvage something from the rain ravaged 1998 tournament.

But coach Huburn Evans is hoping that will change this year as the Guyanese eye the TCL 'double' after clinching the three-day crown on Saturday.

"We are confident of doing well in the one-day version this year since, we have a number of utility players and the confidence of the team is high after our success in the three-day competition," he said.

Selection

"The fact that all three selectors should now be present and a West Indies team will be selected for next year's youth World Cup should be added incentive for the youngsters," Evans added.

Defending limited overs champions Trinidad and Tobago are the only team to achieve the three-day and one-day double.

They won both titles in 2003 and again when the one-day competition was last played in St. Vincent in 2005 but Leeward Islands coach Ronald Powell will be ready to clinch their first one-day championship this year on home turf.

The former Leewards youth player opined that lack of preparation again affected his teamÕs performance in the three-day competition and feels the shorter version better suits his team.

"We got better as the three-day progressed with two batsmen getting centuries in the last round and our batsmen are naturally aggressive and should enjoy the one-dayers," Powell said.

Centre stage

Sherwin Peters and Kieron Powell scored hundreds against T&T on Saturday and if Powell in particular gets going when the Leewards face off with Guyana today at Conaree, the exciting Nevis 20/20 star could easily take centre stage with an explosive performance.

Skipper Devon Thomas, the youngest member of Antigua's 20/20 professional squad, struggled in the three-day competition after dominating the Leeward Islands Under-19 tournament and will be hoping to return to form on what should be a slow track and lightning fast outfield.

Steven Jacobs has provided Guyana with inspirational leadership and his positive batting and miserly off-spin bowling is ideally suited for one-day cricket.

Opener Robin Bacchus is attacking by nature and with the licence to play shots during the early field restriction period, he and Chris Pattandin could give Guyana a flying start for Rajendra Chandrika, Jacobs, Vishal Singh, Kellon Carmichael, Seon Hetimyer, Clive Andries, Delroy Jacobs, Eugene La Fleur and Veerasammy Permaul to build on.

This is the first time that a regional Under-19 competition will be played with coloured clothes, white balls and black sightscreens and the games are expected to attract larger crowds than the three-day matches did.