Wednesday 9th February 2022 will be an exciting day in regional cricket in the West Indies. It marks the return of Cricket West Indies (CWI) First Class championships after two years, halted due to the [seemingly] never-ending Coronavirus pandemic. The first two rounds will be played 9th – 12th February and 15th – 18th February, after which there will be a break to accommodate the Test series against the England team. It will be a five-round tournament for the six professional regional franchises.
Cricket West Indies media arranged for journalists to speak with various members of each team:
- Shirley Clarke – Head coach of the Windward Islands Volcanoes
- Andre Coley – Head coach of the Jamaica Scorpions
- Raymon Reifer – Bowler from Barbados Pride
- Joshua Da Silva – Wicket keeper/Batsman from T & T Red Force
- Jahmar Hamilton – Captain of Leeward Islands Hurricanes
- Leon Johnson – Captain of Guyana Harpy Eagles
All, bar none, expressed delight at FINALLY getting the opportunity to put into play, all they have done in practice over the past several months. Some franchises have new look teams, due in part by the unavailability of some players who are involved in Windies fixtures in India, or plying their trade in the international T20 leagues (e.g. Oshane Thomas) or are non-compliant with the vaccination policy (e.g. Sunil Ambris).
Spotlight on Jamaica Scorpions
In 2020’s truncated championships won by Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions finished third with 3 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws. Batsman and West Indies Vice Captain Jermaine Blackwood who scored 768 runs to top the tables in that competition, is part of this year’s squad. Responding to questions about strengthening the batting. Head Coach Andre Coley recalled that last year’s batting concern was finding a steady opening partner for Captain John Campbell. Coach Coley said that young players Leroy Lugg and Kirk McKenzie are expected to bolster Jamaica’s batting. Both batsmen featured in Jamaica’s victory over Ireland in a warm up match prior to their series against the West Indies.
Another change has been Romaine Morris who scored runs during the practice matches. Coley said he has come in as the new wicket keeper, preferred over Aldane Thomas who is considered the best gloveman, but who had not produced runs.
In the clip below, Coley is asked about the mixed composition of the team. “The understanding is that most of the senior players will have to do most of the heavy lifting,” said Coley. Of the inexperienced players, he said “they will have to use the opportunity to show what they are capable of,” stating that the coaching staff have confidence in them.
Barbados Pride will face Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the first match at Kensington Oval; home team Trinidad and Tobago Red Force host Jamaica Scorpions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad; while the newly named Guyana Harpy Eagles (formerly the Jaguars) face Windward Islands Volcanoes at Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. Teams are playing to win the Headley Weekes Trophy named in honour of West Indies legends George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes.
In the media release, CWI shared that the last three rounds of the West Indies Championship are scheduled to be contested in May. For this year’s tournament, each squad will consist of 15 players due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CWI is also implementing a special “player loan” system to try to ensure that each team will be able to complete their fixtures. If a team has a player(s) ruled out due to a positive COVID-19 result, they can request to use a player(s) from another team and/or from a pool of locally registered reserve players.
LIVE ball-by-ball scoring of each game will be available through the www.windiescricket.com match centre. Catch the action on via the Windies Cricket, YouTube channel which will provide live streaming with commentary.