The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Women’s Cricket team is banking on its experience going into the West Indies Tournament.{{more}}

Despite its inadequate preparations, the tournament will start here on Thursday, August 12.

Coach of the local team, Ortis Jack, told SEARCHLIGHT last Thursday that his team was unable to secure a playing field on a regular basis to carry out its practice sessions.

Jack also lamented the unpreparedness of the nets located at the western side of the Arnos Vale Playing Field as woefully unbecoming for a national team heading into a regional competition.

He, however, said he will be looking to their seasoned players to carry the brunt of the team’s hopes.

“The core of the team has been around for many years and we have a lot of experienced players,” Jack said.

Jack pointed to seasoned players, Captain Cordel Jack and Juliana Nero, who are current West Indies players and have been fixtures in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team set up for a number of years.

He said he expects his other charges “to step up”.

“Also playing at home should be an incentive to do well and I am confident they will,” he added.

Cordel Jack, who is in her eighth season with the national team shares similar views to the coach.

“We have a lot of players who have been around for some time and they have the experience,” said the West Indies right handed batsman.

Boldly stating that they are not afraid of any of the opponents, she bravely expressed their desire to wrest the title from Trinidad and Tobago.

Cordel, the 2009 Senior Sportswoman and the Sports Personality of the Year, will lead the local team, which shows one new comer, Anisha Browne – Williams.

The team’s Vice Captain is Phernell Charles.

Melissa Billingy, Shevern Clarke, Camille Garrick, Mischa George, Clea Hoyte, Rochelle John, ShereeAnn John, Terisha Lavia, Samantha Lynch and Nichole Samuel, make up the rest of the team.

Josette Cambridge is the team’s Manager.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is drawn in Zone B and plays Grenada at Arnos Vale Two on Thursday, and faces Trinidad and Tobago on Friday at Arnos Vale One.

The Vincentians round off their preliminary round on Sunday against Guyana at Arnos Vale One.

The other zone involves Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Dominica. The top teams from each zone, as well as the third and fourth places in each zone will progress to the semi-final stage slated for Arnos Vale One and Two, on Monday, August 16.

The final between the winners of the semi-finals is set for Arnos Vale One on Wednesday, August 18, which is also set aside for the play-offs for the other places.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines last won the regional competition in 2006.

Apart from winning this competition, the players will position themselves for spots for the West Indies, which is one of six teams set to contest the inaugural ICC Women’s Cricket Challenge scheduled for South Africa from October 6-16. The regional squad, will clash with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Ireland and hosts South Africa.

The six are ranked outside of the top four. (RT)