WI female cricketer switches allegiance

One man’s loss is another’s gain, and the female cricket set up here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has become the beneficiary of another’s loss.{{more}}

When the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Women’s Cricket team was announced recently, there was a welcome addition in Indomatie Goordial -John, a former Guyanese player, who also has represented the West Indies.

The Guyanese became a Vincentian citizen about a year ago when she married former Vincy Heat Manager Roxell John.

Delighted to continue in the sport that she loves, making the adjustment to her new homeland and new life was relatively easy.

“For me, life in St. Vincent is not too bad, although it is a lot different from Guyana, but I am still adjusting and trying to get accustomed to life here”, Goordial John said.

“I had no problem switching my cricket career to St. Vincent from Guyana. All that matters to me is that I am playing cricket, not where I play”, Goordial- John stated.

“There is not much difference in the standard of cricket between St. Vincent and Guyana, or between the coaching styles”, she added.

But for Goordial-John, this country’s women’s Cricket Programme is different from her birth place.

“The facilities are much better in Guyana and the team is assisted in its preparation in a more positive manner by the Guyana Cricket Board. The best facilities are normally easier to get access to for national teams’ preparation”, Goordial John compared.

An experienced player at the regional level, she listed her years of service.

“I represented Guyana from 2001 to 2005 and West Indies from 2002-2005. I was dropped from the West Indies unit since Guyana did not participate in the regional tournament in 2006 and 2007”, she recounted.

Back into the fray, Goordial-John wants to make the most of the upcoming tournament, helping St. Vincent and the Grenadines to regain the regional title and enhancing her chances for a West Indies recall.

She is one of two newcomers on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team which heads to Jamaica next month, for the regional tournament which runs from August 5 to the 14.

Goordial-John, a key batsman in the team, who can also bowl, and Hazel Foster, a batsman, are the new comers in the final thirteen.

Returning to the team are former Captain Geneille Greaves and all rounder Clea Hoyte.

Julianna Nero, fresh from a three nation tour with the West Indies team, heads the batting, along with Cordell Jack and Samantha Lynch. Terisha Lavia, Sherriann John, Xavier Byron, Phernell Charles and Melissa Billingy complete the team which is set to leave here August 3.

The eight teams in the 2008 edition will be placed into two groups for the league format, with the Knock Out round based on the outcome of teams from first to eighth from the league.

Last year, St. Vincent and the Grenadines finished last in the tournament, which was severely affected by rain. This country won the league competition in 2006 and reached the final of the Knock Out only to lose to Trinidad and Tobago. (RT)