Selectors name national female, Under-15 teams for 2017 cricket

Two national teams were selected over the weekend, as St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) prepare to participate in the Windward Islands Southern Women’s Cricket series and the Windward Islands Under-15 Cricket tournament, both scheduled for Grenada.

The SVG National Women’s team is being led by former West Indies batter Juliana Nero and also include veteran all-rounder Cordel Jack. Stacy-Ann Adams, who was selected to the West Indies training squad last year following an impressive season, will be Nero’s deputy.

Nyasha Williams, Zavian Stephen, Glendeen Turtin, Kimone Homer, Jenna Frederick, Shenzia Daniel, Samantha Caine, and Gainy Marshall will once again don the national colours, while Jennisha Hackshaw and Shema Wright have earned their first selection to the national female unit.

Four reserves, in Isha Williams, Allison Antonie, Sunella Pope and Kendicia Barker have also been named. The SVG national women’s team will be coached by WICB Level Three accredited coach Samantha Lynch, with Gwenette Anthony as team manager.

The SVG Women’s team will travel to Grenada on Thursday, March 30, before playing two 50-overs matches and a T20 game against the host on March 31, April 1 and 2, respectively. The team will then return to St Vincent and the Grenadines on April 3. The series of games will be used to select the Windward Islands Women’s team, which will participate in the WICB Regional Female Championship, to be hosted in St Vincent and the Grenadines from April 16 – May 1, 2017.

The SVG National Under-15 team was also named last weekend. Romel Currency, chair of the Under-15 selection committee, on behalf of the panel of selectors Samuel Holder, Cleton Burnett, Jerome Samuel and Ian Allen, has named Handel Roban as captain, with O’Jay Matthews acting as his assistant. Akeem Alexander, Soloman Bascombe, Coby Dabreo-Butler, Jarred Edwards, Dwayne Henry, Randy Joseph, Paulson Mack, Iruel Matthias, Irvin Warrican Jr, Azar Williams and first placed student for the last Common Entrance Examination Luke Wilson, complete the 13-man squad.

Reserves, in the persons of Ranique Bowens, Newton Browne, Kirtney Franklyn, Kyron Lewis and Omarian Samuel, have also been named.

In keeping with the policy of the SVGCA, there are at least four players in the 13-member squad that are still eligible for reselection in 2018. The SVG national Under-15 team will travel to Grenada where the Windward Islands Under-15 tournament will be held between April 8 and 17. Jerome Samuel is the team coach, while Windward Islands Under-17 team manager Samuel Holder will carry out managerial duties.

In related news, only two games will be played this coming weekend in the 2017 National Lotteries Authority sponsored SVG cricket competitions. Both games will be in the 50 overs Sunday League. On Sunday, April 2, Victors Two will square off against Triumph United at the Sion Hill playing field, while at Arnos Vale Two, French Verandah SVG Community College will battle with Prime Consulting Marriaqua.

The SVG Cricket Association Inc is also making final preparations to host the ninth round WICB PCL Digicel SportsMax Regional 4-Day game between the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions at the Arnos Vale Playing field, between April 7 and 10.

The SVG Cricket Association Inc also expresses sincere condolences to national cricketer and umpire Shevorne Clarke on the passing of her mother.