Barbados Royals Women start their bid for a third consecutive Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) title today when they take on Guyana Amazon Warriors Women at the Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown.
The Bajan outfit will be without Hayley Mathews, the leading player in the world, as she has opted to bring forward her shoulder surgery. The match starts at 3 p.m.
Matthews was at the helm when the Royals won back-to-back titles. Head Coach Ryan Hinds, the mastermind behind the title triumphs says the team has prepared well. He outlined that despite her unavailability the charismatic leader has still been in touch on a daily basis.
They will be led by Chinelle Henry, the imposing Jamaican and Aliyah Alleyne is the vice captain. The team will rely on these two allrounders as well as other experienced players such as Afy Fletcher, the leg-spinner and Shamiia Connell, who will be lethal with the new ball.
“They (Henry and Alleyne) are senior members of the West Indies team and we expect major contributions from them. Henry is an important member of this franchise, over the last year you would have seen the significant improvement in her allround game,” said Hinds. The former Barbados captain and West Indies players spoke from Guyana on the eve of the match.
“The key to winning is how well we adapt on the day, and try to play ‘front foot cricket’, to get ahead of the game and stay ahead. We have to play smart cricket. We have worked really hard since we arrived here in Guyana and we are in really good spirits and looking forward to the tournament.
“It is getting bigger and better, and we would love to do the three-peat, but we have to take it game by game and accept the challenges. Yes, we are without Hayley Mathews, however her absence creates the opportunity for others to stand up and be counted.”
On the overseas front, the Royals are bolstered by the return of Australian wicket-keeper Georgia Redmayne and Sri Lanka legend Chamari Athapaththu, who is capable of opening the batting and the bowling. They will be joined by Indian off-spinner Shreyanka Patil, who made the shift from the Guyana Amazon Warriors, as well as Courtney Webb, the talented multi-sport athlete from Australia, who will add versatility to the squad.
Barbados Royals Women Squad: Chinelle Henry (captain), Afy Fletcher, Aliyah Alleyne, Kycia Knight, Steffi Soogrim, Shamilia Connell, Shenata Grimmond, Qiana Joseph, Trishan Holder, Naijani Cumberbatch, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Webb, Shreyanka Patil
Women’s CPL Schedule – Guyana National Stadium
September 6: Guyana Amazon Warriors v Trinbago Knight Riders – 2 p.m.
September 7: Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Royals – 3 p.m.
September 10: Trinbago Knight Riders v Barbados Royals – 2 p.m.
September 13: Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors – 4 p.m.
September 14: Barbados Royals v Guyana Amazon Warriors – 2 p.m.
September 16: Barbados Royals v Trinbago Knight Riders – 3 p.m.
September 17: Final – 2 p.m.
