PHILIPSBURG--Keacy Carty, the St. Maarten cricketer who was named the man of the match in the final of the ICC Youth World Cup in Bangladesh has credited his West Indies U19 call up to a prolific season at the regional U19 tournament in Guyana in 2014. In that year, Carty amassed an aggregate of 249 runs in five innings which included a century against Barbados.
Carty attended a press conference yesterday to talk to the media. The press conference was attended by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Sylveria Jacobs, his parents; Keith and Angela Carty, Coordinator of Sports Jonelle Richardson, Chairman of NAGICO and Cricket St. Maarten Imran Mc Sood Amjad, CEO of NAGICO Dwayne Elgin and President of Cricket St. Maarten Nathaniel Walter.
Carty told the press conference at the Government Administration Building that his selection was based on being the leading run scorers in the regional tournament. "I got the most runs in the three-day tournament. I got one more run than Shivnarine Chanderpaul's son (Tagnarine Chanderpaul) and he dominated his youth career so that was a real big achievement for me. I was really proud of it, coming from a small island again and having to work hard. So it basically began there." In January (of 2015), the NAGICO Super50 was going on and they (West Indies Cricket Board) decided to place the U19 team in the tournament. I remembered my father picked me up from school and told me 'I got some good news for you' I was on my phone listening to music and I said I'm listening. He said you got picked for the West Indies U19. I was so happy."
Carty also added that a century he made against St. Kitts in the Leeward Islands tournament may had also had an influence on him securing a spot for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes franchise. Carty who represented Anguilla in that tournament stated "For the one-say match against St. Maarten, I didn't get any runs but I got a half- century in the three-day. Against St. Kitts, I scored 122. Your (My) name surfacing around the Caribbean of course you (I) will get recognition. That's basically how I got on the (Leeward Islands) senior team as a contracted player. Playing for the West Indies U19 in the West Indies Super50 and the 100 (122) against St. Kitts sort of seal the deal.
Asked about his lows on his way to achieving this feat, Carty stated that he wants to focus on the positives because this (moment) is a celebration. "I would not like to touch on the lows because this is a celebration. I would not like to focus on the negatives. I like to focus on the positives." Asked if he had any difficulty gelling with members of the team which were from other Caribbean Islands, Carty answered, "It wasn't really difficult. Being around guys who play cricket, most guys usually get along. There is always a good bond with everyone knowing that you are representing your country. So it wasn't difficult bonding with everyone."
Carty who had just finished a courtesy call at His Excellence the Governor Eugene Holiday appeared relaxed and confident in his well-trimmed blue suit at the press conference.
Minister Jacobs ended the press conference by letting the public know that she is promoting a Yes Youth Can to showcase the talent of young people from St. Maarten. She invited the public to come out on Sunday to support Carty who she said is expected to be surprised at what the government and NAGICO has planned for him. The ceremony begins at 4:00pm at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark next to Cost U Less.
