Maria Abbott is WCPL bound

Vincentian female cricket umpire Maria Abbott will be part of the historic introduction of the first women’s version of the Caribbean Premier League(CPL).

Named the Women’s Caribbean Premier League(WCPL), the inaugural tournament takes place in St.Kitts, from August 31 to September 4.

Officiating in the tournament is more than rewarding for Abbott.

A delighted Abbott told SEARCHLIGHT that her ascension is a dream come true, as it will be the highest level attained in her more than 20 years of umpiring.

“I am just happy for the opportunity to umpire at this level, and I am truly grateful,” Abbott said with a sense of elation.

Abbott, a former St Vincent and the Grenadines cricketer, is especially delighted that she will have another chance to work with Jamaican umpire Jacqueline Williams.

Abbott and Williams are the only two females selected for the WCPL.

“I have a lot of respect for Williams and she has taught me a few things, so it will be a pleasure working with her,” Abbott highlighted.
Williams is emerging on the world stage, as she was the first woman to officiate as a third umpire in an international cricket match for men. That was between the West Indies and Ireland in January, 2020.

But Abbott is making good of her timeline, relishing her stint in Trinidad and Tobago last month.

There, she got her initiation in regional officiating, as she was an on-field umpire in seven matches of the inaugural Cricket West Indies Women’s Under-19 tournament and was third umpire in three matches.

Reflecting on her first taste on the regional scene, Abbott assessed: “I was not daunted in any way by the occasion… I felt comfortable, I was not nervous, but gathered a lot of tips that would help me in the WCPL”.

Abbott thus credited former International umpire Peter Nero, for his “guidance and continuous assistance”.

Looking forward to her WCPL assignments, Abbott said that she is mentally and physically preparing, as she wants to give her best, and represent St Vincent and the Grenadines well.