Courts T20 Grand Slam bowls off in July

SHERDON PIERRE

FOUR teams comprising of the region's top women players, as well as eight ICC Americas players, will be vying for the top prize of $25,000 in the second edition of the Courts T20 Grand Slam, which bowls off on July 18 at the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Balmain, Couva.

It was announced yesterday, at the media launch held at the NCC, the four teams will play a two-round robin and the top team will advance straight to the final, and the second and third placed teams will play for a spot in the final.

Communication and public relations manager at Unicomer Limited, Fazad Mohammed said, “We are happy once again to invest $70,000 towards this tournament. This is an opportunity to focus on change and diversity in sport as we look forward to a great tournament. Last year, we had an amazing turn out and atmosphere at matches and we hope this year we can improve.”

Coordinator of the tournament and former CEO of the TT Cricket Board Suruj Ragoonath said, “This will be a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for women in the future as we see this is an important step in the right direction to the professionalisation of women's cricket. The level of competitiveness will be of a high standard because it is our best players in the region coming together.”

Ann Browne- John vice-president of the TT Women's Cricket Association mentioned, “There are four tournaments yearly so, we are continuing in developing the sport of cricket for women. Having regional players will lift the standard of the franchise tournament.” She continued, “The sky is the limit with players as far as Canada, Brazil and Costa Rica coming to play. We must focus on the youth and development hence the reason each team must have an Under-19 player.”

Lucy Ottley, honourary secretary of TECU said, “We are pleased to be part of the TECU Southern Titans to attract the national, regional and international market. Our involvement symbolizes our relationship with our women, sport and youth. We hope under captain Merissa Aguilleira we bring home the trophy down south.”

Ian Telfer representing LCB Contractors Limited said, “Extremely pleased and excited to be part of the tournament. This is the company`s first venture in sports. We hope by our involvement of this tournament the Women`s West Indies team can retain their World T20 title later this year in the Caribbean.”

SQUADS

Udecott North: Lee- Ann Kirby (Captain), Natasha Mc Lean (Regional), Jodian Morgan (Regional), Shabika Gajnabi (Regional), Rachel Vincent, Kirbyina Alexander, Amanda Samaroo, Selene O`Neil, Alice Collins, Felina Jack, Stacey Bolah, Jerveena Pollucksingh, Anna Marie Perera, Djenaba Joseph (Under-19), Hiba Shamshad (ICC Senior), Joseth Mora Molina (ICC Junior) Jasmine Sammy (Coach).

Trident Sports East: Stacy- Ann King (Captain), Hayley Matthews (Regional), Kycia Knight (Regional), Shamilia Connell (Regional), Reniece Boyce, Karishma Ramharack, Rosalie Dolabaille, Stephanie Ragoonath, Allison Collins, Shanmatee Nowrang, Kadisha Rahim, Janelle Ruiz, Jesse Ferdinand, Alysha Gomez (Under-19), Sofia Bolanos Martinez (ICC Senior), Mariana Martinez (ICC Junior), Stephanie Power (Coach).

TECU South: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Deandra Dottin (Regional), Shakera Selman (Regional), Sheneta Grimmond (Regional), Britney Cooper, Shenelle Lord, Steffi Soogrim, Rosemary Samaroo, Renelle Dookie, Patrina Walcott, KajolDalgir, Sylvia Bolah, Nidia Andrews, Shania Abdool (Under-19), Divya Saxena (ICC Senior), Miryam Khokhar (ICC Junior), Kelvin Williams (Coach).

LCB Contractors Limited Central: Anisa Mohammed (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Regional), Chinelle Henry (Regional), Akaze Thompson (Regional), Felicia Walters, Kamara Ragoobar, Samanta Bissoon, Shari John, Gaitri Seetahal, Reanna Farrow, Tasneem Juman, Anjani Goordeen, Talia Baksh, Leandra Ramdeen (Under-19), Alison Stocks (ICC Senior), Achini Perera (ICC Junior), Gerald Garcia (Coach).