The West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Championship kicked off in St. Kitts & Nevis on Thursday, July 3, 2025, marking a noteworthy change in format ahead of the 2026 Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup scheduled in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
This year’s edition adopts a strategic approach, featuring only 50-over matches, with the addition of two teams from the United States, making it a month-long competition designed with international preparation in mind. The revised format aims to closely simulate the conditions players can expect at the upcoming global tournament, providing a valuable platform for talent identification and team development.
Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, via a press statement, emphasized the significance of this event in the lead-up to the World Cup. “This year’s format is deliberately designed to mirror the conditions and demands of international competition. It provides an ideal platform for our selectors and coaching staff to identify talent, assess performances under pressure, and begin building a cohesive squad well ahead of the World Cup,” Bascombe explained.
He also highlighted the importance of including two U.S.-based squads in this year’s competition. “With the significant growth of cricket being seen throughout the Americas, and our position as the only Full Member ICC nation in this hemisphere, the inclusion of teams from the USA helps to fulfill two of our goals. That of assisting with the development of the sport in our region, along with exposing our players to unfamiliar competition, which is key to their continued development, particularly in preparation for an international tournament,” Bascombe added.
CWI shared that the tournament will feature seven rounds of matches, followed by a playoff stage to determine the final standings. Barbados returns as the defending champions from the previous year.
Cricket enthusiasts across the Caribbean and beyond can follow every moment of the action live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel. In addition, ball-by-ball commentary, match reports, and updates will be accessible via www.windiescricket.com.
All games are scheduled to commence at 10 AM Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT) / 9 AM in Jamaica. Fans can look forward to an exciting week of cricket as the Rising Stars showcase their talent in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Full Match Schedule
Round 1 – July 3
– Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at Conaree
– Jamaica vs USA 1 at St Mary’s Park
– Trinidad & Tobago vs USA 2 at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Barbados vs Guyana at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 2 – July 6
– Trinidad & Tobago vs Barbados at Conaree
– Leeward Islands vs USA 2 at St Mary’s Park
– Guyana vs USA 1 at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Windward Islands vs Jamaica at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 3 – July 9
– Guyana vs Jamaica at Conaree
– Trinidad & Tobago vs USA 1 at St Mary’s Park
– Leeward Islands vs Barbados at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Windward Islands vs USA 2 at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 4 – July 12
– USA 1 vs USA 2 at Conaree
– Guyana vs Windward Islands at St Mary’s Park
– Barbados vs Jamaica at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 5 – July 15
– Leeward Islands vs Guyana at Conaree
– Barbados vs USA 1 at St Mary’s Park
– Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Jamaica vs USA 2 at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 6 – July 18
– Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica at Conaree
– Guyana vs USA 2 at St Mary’s Park
– Windward Islands vs Barbados at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Leeward Islands vs USA 1 at Elquemedo Willet Park
Round 7 – July 21
– Windward Islands vs USA 1 at Conaree
– Barbados vs USA 2 at St Mary’s Park
– Leeward Islands vs Jamaica at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana at Elquemedo Willet Park
Final & Placement Matches – July 24
– First Place vs Second Place at Conaree
– Third Place vs Fourth Place at St Mary’s Park
– Fifth Place vs Sixth Place at St Pauls Cricket Ground
– Seventh Place vs Eighth Place at Elquemedo Willet Park
CWI stated that the 2025 Rising Stars Under-19 Championship promises to be an exciting showcase of young talent, with the inclusion of U.S. teams adding a new dimension to regional development and competition. Fans can stay tuned for live coverage and updates as these emerging cricketers aim to shine in St. Kitts and Nevis, as reported by the CWI press release.