In the upcoming week, female West Indian cricketers will get in on a piece of the biggest party in sport when the ladies take to the T10 stage.
Carlos Brathwaite
Although they are competing in a shorter format than their male counterparts, the two-game action is expected to be equally as exiting. The matches will take place in Trinidad and Tobago on two days; namely, the NLCB Challenge on October 10 at 3pm, and the Courts Invitational on October 12 at 12:30pm.
Caribbean nationals and Guyanese alike are anticipating this female cricket action, and male players are also looking forward to witnessing the two matches. One such person is St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain Carlos Brathwaite, who had nothing but praise for the initiative.
Explaining his interest and investment in female cricket, the SKN skipper said it provides a great opportunity for his female counterparts.
“I think it’s fantastic! The women’s IPL! Of course we can give them credit, but there is a tournament in Trinidad for female players, a women’s T20 franchise tournament. I’m fortunate to own one of the female teams, so for me it’s a pleasure to see women’s cricket develop in the way that it is,” Brathwaite said.
He referred to the West Indies Women’s victory in the ICCC T20 World Cup back in 2016, and explained how female cricket maintains the integrity of the maroon colours even when the senior men’s team fails to do so.
“Obviously, we understood and felt the glory that they brought to us in 2016 as well, and we know that sometimes when the men’s team falters, they carry the flag internationally. So for them to have their own stage, or as you say, we’re sharing it, is phenomenal,” he said.
Not only is Brathwaite looking forward to the women’s games, the Bajan national is also hoping that the initiative can continue, and even run concurrently with the Caribbean Premiere League.
“Hopefully it’s something that can run in conjunction with the full CPL, if financing and scheduling are permitted,” he said.
