Windwards T/20 team gets grand send off
The Windward Islands T/20 Cricket got a grand send off last Sunday evening at a cocktail session{{more}} held at the Murray Heights Hotel ahead of their scheduled departure for Barbados yesterday, Monday.
The 14 member team, minus captain Darren Sammy, were on hand to be saluted, feted and encouraged by sponsors, cricket and government officials.
Minister of National Mobilisation, Youth Affairs and Sports Mike Browne urged the players to give of their best and represent the four islands well.
He recognized that there are players in the team with West Indies experience, which should help in their sojourn.
Expressing similar sentiments was Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority Murray Bullock, who is also a member of Winlott Inc. Bullock reminded the cricketers that they are as good as their competitors.
Stanley Hinds, who is Windwards selector, CEO of the Windwards Cricket Board of Control, Lennox John and Winlott Inc. board member Dougal James, all had words of encouragement for the players.
Prior to their departure, the Windwards team was engaged in a weekâs camp, which also involved two warm up matches against a St. Vincent and the Grenadines team last Saturday and Sunday.
The match on Saturday was cut short by rain, while on Sunday an assimilated match situation took place.
Coach of the Windwards team, Ian Allen told SEARCHLIGHT that he was generally satisfied with the camp, as many of his objectives were achieved, despite some unfavourable weather conditions at times.
The Windwards play Guyana on July 23; host Barbados on July 25 and the Combined Colleges and Campuses on July 29, when action shifts to Trinidad and Tobago.
The two top places in the two groups advance to the semi finals knock out stage.
The winner of the West Indies Competition will earn US$50,000 and will represent the region at the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa in September this year.
The Caribbean T/20 competition will have the benefit of being shown live on ESPN cable network. (RT)
Comments
