The West Indies Under-19 cricket team is set to face England in a pivotal seven-match Youth One Day International (ODI) series, commencing this Sunday in Grenada. This series marks a critical juncture in their preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled for early next year. Head coach Rohan Nurse expressed optimism about the team’s development, emphasizing the importance of this series in refining skills and strategies. The squad, buoyed by a recent 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka, aims to build on that momentum as they take on another formidable opponent. The team has seen some adjustments since their last outing, with three players returning or earning their spots based on standout performances. DeShawn James rejoins after recovering from injury, while Kunal Tilokani and Tanez Francis secured their places following impressive showings at the regional Under-17 tournament. Meanwhile, players like Afraz Ali Buhdoo, Micah Greenidge, and Pajay Nelson will miss this series but remain in contention for the final World Cup squad. Nurse highlighted the team’s resilience and fighting spirit during the Sri Lanka series, noting that these qualities are essential for success. He also stressed the need for consistency and focus across all departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—to gain a competitive edge. With the World Cup looming, this series against England is a vital step in shaping a cohesive and competitive unit capable of excelling on the international stage. The team management, including assistant coaches Jerome Taylor and Nikita Miller, is focused on fostering a performance-driven environment while instilling professionalism and clarity of roles among the players.