Cricket West Indies (CWI) is creating a development roadmap with major investment for women’s cricket in the region. This effort comes after the launch of its inaugural Women's Cricket Academy, a key initiative aimed at nurturing and developing our region’s female cricketing talent.
Under the leadership of Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at CWI, the Academy commenced its operations earlier this month at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, marking a significant milestone for women's cricket in the region.
The director of cricket expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “This move aligns with Cricket West Indies' commitment to fostering the growth of women's cricket and investing in the development of players at all levels”.
As CWI embarks on its four-year budget cycle and the formation of its four-year strategic plan, Bascombe emphasizes the organization's commitment to investing in various initiatives that will contribute to the overall development of women's cricket.
“We have ambitious plans and programs lined up to ensure sustained growth in women's cricket,” he said. “Our investment in talent development and coaching will create a robust foundation for the future success of our women cricketers. Our approach is to incrementally seek to level the playing field, and we have started this process in earnest in other key areas.”
Earlier this year, CWI announced that with immediate effect the members of the West Indies Women’s squad will travel business class for all long-haul international flights and be accommodated in single rooms for all international assignments, bringing it in line with the policy for West Indies Senior Men’s tours. This resulted in an increase in the women’s budget of over US$500,000.
Meanwhile, Bascombe who assumed office in August of this year said, “We have had a fruitful engagement with our women players during our recently held West Indies Cricket Players’ Summit in Barbados, and have taken into consideration their views. Such discussions have informed the priority areas for women’s cricket at this point, particularly the development pathway.”
The West Indies Women’s A team just arrived in Pakistan yesterday for the first-ever away tour. The average age of the playing squad is 20. The majority of the players were in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Bascombe concluded by stating, “The trajectory of women’s cricket is one that is very pleasing, and that is why we are presently supporting the Women’s ‘A’ Team tour to Pakistan. Giving our players international opportunities helps to strengthen our second line and further enhances our competitive chances.”
CWI and the West Indies Players Association are in the process of finalizing a new Memorandum of Understanding. Both parties are working feverishly to achieve significant increases for women cricketers. These are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Gurbaz, Motie inspire Amazon Warriors to six-wicket victory over Kings
Guyana Amazon Warriors, defending champions of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), put in a swaggering performance to claim three wins in three games to sit at the head of the standings after ten games of this year’s tournament.
Their opponents, Saint Lucia Kings, suffered their first loss of the 2024 tournament on what for them was a chastening night at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet. A thumping six wicket win with 10 overs to spare was a real statement of intent from the Warriors.
Imran Tahir won the toss and elected to insert the Kings. The defending champions put in another impressive performance with the ball, Tahir claiming 3-29 and Player of the Match Gudakesh Motie taking 3-13 as the Kings failed to recover from a PowerPlay that saw them reduced to 43-4.
Some lower order striking from Matthew Forde managed to haul the Kings to three figures exactly but the Warriors made extremely short work of the target.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz lit up the Saint Lucia sky with sixes as he struck 47 runs off just 19 balls that included not a single four but saw seven sixes clear the ropes.
Gurbaz eventually fell with just nine more runs needed for victory, pinned lbw by Noor Ahmad attempting a reverse-sweep that would have brought him a rapid fifty. Noor also bowled Tim Robinson but not before the Warrior’s debutant opener had got the chase off to a breezy start with 33 off 20 deliveries - including a deliciously driven lofted six down the ground.
A fired up Alzarri Joseph had Azam Khan caught at short third and was thrilled with the wicket. Joseph then greeted Shimron Hetmyer with a stare and another short delivery but Hetmyer launched the next ball high and long over mid-on for six and then scampered the winning runs off the next over to have the decisive final say.
It was a day to forget for the Kings but one to savour for the Warriors, Barbados Royals are the only other side that remain unbeaten in this year’s competition.
Westmoreland crowned Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket champions after dominant campaign
Westmoreland has claimed the title of champion in the 33rd Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competition after overpowering Kensington in the final at the Ultimate Cricket Ground in Discovery Bay, St. Ann. This victory marks Westmoreland's first time as sole champion, having previously shared the title twice. They went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all matches in the preliminary round, quarterfinals and semifinals.
In a thrilling final match, Westmoreland’s 115 all out in 28.4 overs looked vulnerable, as Kensington posed a real threat during their chase and a lengthy rain delay added further uncertainty. However, Westmoreland’s bowling unit held firm, restricting Kensington to 77 all out in 34.4 overs, securing a 38-run victory.
The star of the final was Westmoreland's Humario Reid, who carried the team with an impressive 80 runs from 81 deliveries. He was the only Westmoreland batsman to reach double figures, with Kensington’s Zachary Buchanan wreaking havoc on the batting lineup by taking seven wickets for just 33 runs. Andrew Lloyd also chipped in with two wickets for 32.
Kensington's chase began positively, but they quickly lost their first wicket at 15 and never fully recovered. A steady flow of wickets left them reeling at seven for 27. After a rain delay, they briefly steadied their innings, but once their eighth wicket fell on 73, Westmoreland sensed victory. Kensington's captain Andrew Lloyd fought valiantly with a top score of 45, while Abraham Waugh contributed 14 runs, the only other batsman to reach double digits. Westmoreland’s bowling attack was led by Jemar Morgan (3 for 12), captain Ryan Littleton (3 for 23), and Davere Buchanan (2 for 17).
Coach Grantley Reid was elated with his team’s triumph, reflecting on the journey it took to finally win the competition outright. “I am happy because we have been here before but we had to share. For the work that was put in, because the journey did not begin with this competition. Most of the boys have been to quarterfinals but we never made it through, but I knew we had the depth to win this competition and they delivered,” Reid said. He also praised Kensington's resilience, saying, “They played well to come back from where they were... They had heart. They have a young team.”
Following the final, an awards ceremony recognized individual and team achievements. Humario Reid was named the MVP of the final, while Westmoreland captain Ryan Littleton was named his team’s MVP with 13 wickets and 236 runs during the competition. Kensington’s MVP, Abraham Waugh, bagged 21 wickets and scored 156 runs throughout the tournament.
This year's Kingston Wharves U15 competition recorded several highlights, including four centuries, 15 five-wicket hauls by 12 different bowlers, and four batsmen scoring over 200 runs each.
Simone Murdock, corporate services and client experience manager at Kingston Wharves, expressed her satisfaction with the competition’s return to pre-Covid standards. “We are glad to see a successful year come to an end. As said in the ceremony, we are finally returning to scores similar to the years before Covid so we are glad to see that we are on the right track and to celebrate with Westmoreland,” she said.
Jamaica Cricket Association president Dr. Donovan Bennett, who watched most of the final, promised an even better competition in the future as the association increases its investment in junior cricket. “We are working hard to ensure that where we were pre-Covid, that we get back there as soon as we possibly can,” Bennett remarked.
Westmoreland’s win has solidified their dominance in the 2023 Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket competition, a tournament that continues to provide a platform for the next generation of cricketers.
'The time is right to move on' – England's Moeen retires from internationals
England's Moeen Ali has confirmed his international retirement.
Moeen played across all formats for England over the past decade, and was part of the squads that won the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and T20 World Cup two years ago.
Having come out of Test retirement to feature for England against Australia in 2023, Mooen has now confirmed his retirement from international cricket altogether.
"I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won't," Moeen said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
"Even retiring, I don't feel it's because I'm not good enough – I still feel I can play.
"But I get how things are, and the team needs to evolve into another cycle. It's about being real to myself.
"I've played a lot of cricket for England. It's time for the next generation.
"It felt [like] the time was right to move on. I've done my part."
He bows out having played 68 Tests, 138 ODIs and 92 T20Is.
Moeen made five Test centuries, taking 204 wickets in the longest format.
The off-spinner made three tons and took 111 wickets in ODIs, while clinching 51 wickets in T20Is.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
