New-look national women’s cricket team for regional tourney

A new coach and manager, along with five newcomers show the changing face of the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior women’s cricket team which will participate in the 2014 West Indies Cricket Board 50-over tournament in Dominica from August 6 to 20.{{more}}

The new coach is Cleton Burnett, with Gwyneth Anthony manager.

Burnett, who is also the assistant secretary of the St Vincent and Grenadines Cricket Association, takes over from Kenroy Martin, who was handed the duties last year, while Anthony has replaced the long-standing Josette Cambridge.

Also making their debut outing are left-handed opener Nyasha Williams, Ronique Fergus – a left arm medium fast bowler, along with Japhina Joseph, Sue Ann Martin and Shonica Campbell – all right arm medium fast bowlers.

For Williams, it has been a feat that she had set herself coming into 2014.

“Since at the start of the local season, I set myself to make the team, so I trained hard; I don’t want to just make the St Vincent team and stay there, I want to leave a mark and go on to make the West Indies too,” Williams said.

“I want when I get older, I can tell my children that I played for St Vincent, not for two or three years, but I was an outstanding player,” Williams added.

Also delighted with making the final cut is Ronique Fergus.

Fergus, who began playing cricket competitively last year, and was selected among the reserves for the team which travelled to Grenada, said that she has upped her efforts since, hence her selection this time around.

“I have worked towards it … All I have to do now is to go to Dominica and play my best and with the support of the others, we should do well,” Fergus projected.

The five newcomers, along with Samantha Lynch, who missed last year’s tournament in Grenada, replace Cordel Jack, Terisha Lavia, ShereeAnn John, Rochelle John, Melissa Billingy, Edlyn Turtin, Mischa George and Rochelle John, who were all part of last year’s 50-over set-up.

The Vincentian team will be once again captained by Juliana Nero, with La Toya Providence, vice captain.

Also included in the 14-member team are Vinisha King, Stacy Ann Adams, Hazel Ann Foster, Kaylene Garrick, Shevorne Clarke and Xavian Stephens.

St Vincent and the Grenadines finished fifth in both the 50-over and Twenty/20 formats.

Jamaica took the 2013 50-over and Twenty/20 crowns.

The annual West Indies Women’s Cricket Tournament is being played among Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, along with the four Windward Islands – Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.(RT)