Excitement builds as rival teams arrive for CG Insurance Super50

Players and match officials for the upcoming CG Insurance Super50 Cup arrived in Antigua as they prepare for the return of cricket in the West Indies.
The six franchise teams will do battle in the marquee 50-over tournament, which bowls off on Sunday, February 7. It will conclude with the grand final on Saturday, February 27 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, when a new winner will be crowned.
Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Christopher Barnwell was among the players and said he was looking ahead to the tournament. The Guyanese last won the event back in 2008, and are keen to lift the Sir Clive Lloyd trophy this year and record their 11th triumph.
“It’s been a long time since we last won this tournament and we’re eager to come out, give a good account of ourselves this year. I think we have a very good chance of winning,” said Barnwell. “We had a few really good weeks of training…some very good preparation. Obviously, the pitches in Antigua will offer more bounce than those back home, so we will have to make that adjustment. I’m hitting the ball sweetly in the nets and my mind is clear. As an experienced member of the team, I know I have a key role to play and we’re here to win for Guyana.”
Emmanuel Stewart will be the first choice wicket-keeper for Windward Islands Volcanoes in the upcoming tournament. He too is excited and has visions of doing great things in the coming weeks.
“I have been working on my skill-set and been training specific to my role as wicket-keeper and batsman. I will be batting in the middle and I’m working hard on rotating the strike and hitting the ball in the gaps and keeping the momentum going in the middle overs. It’s an area we have been lacking, so we are working to get it right,” Stewart said.
“Once we carry this preparations in games, we will do well… not just in the 50-overs matches, but also in the four-day First-Class tournament. Credit to Cricket West Indies to put on this tournament, it gives us as players an opportunity to play and show what we can do. This is what we love and what we enjoy, and I’m sure the fans all around will be tuning in to watch the matches.”