Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – 18th May 2016 – Following a series of trial matches, some competitive NLA Premier Division clashes, and a few other factors, the Senior Selection Panel of Roland Wilkinson, Arnold Gilkes, Wendel Glasgow, and Lance John, has selected an exciting team to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the upcoming Windward Islands Senior Male tournament. The tournament will take place in Grenada from the May 27 – June 4, 2016.
As announced earlier on the SVGCA Inc.’s Facebook page, young talented West Indies A team and Windward Islands batsman/wicketkeeper, Sunil Ambris will captain the senior team for the first time. His assistant will be the experienced Miles Bascombe, who has played for the West Indies and Windward Islands up to this year. Both Ambris and Bascombe will be looking to lead the batting unit, which is fill with talent and promise.
Returning to the squad is Donwell Hector, who took a break last year to play cricket in United States. Hector has been in good form locally, ending the local season with 321 runs at an average of 54 for Victors 1. His Victors teammate Atticus Browne who stroked 86 in the last trial match, following a century in his last NLA Premier Division match, also found favor with the selectors. The consistent alrounder, Casmond Walters has finally gotten his chance in the national team for the longer format after averaging 150 in the two trial matches. The aggressive and energetic player also finished the local season with 23 wickets at an average of 12.
Looking to make their debut this year are the promising pace trio Shaquille Browne, Obed McCoy, and Roneil Jeffery. Browne, who replaced Delorn Johnson in the team last year has shown great consistency throughout the year and will be looking to capitalize on the opportunity. Obed will also be aiming to gain from his first exposure at this level, and has been selected as the 14th player, who will be back up for Delorn Johnson, who is likely to miss the first round playing for the West Indies A team against South Africa. Jeffery, who was drafted into the 24 man squad as a replacement for the injured Kesrick Williams has left the selectors with no choice after an impressive 5 wickets in the last trial match.
Two other returnees to the national team, after impressive local seasons are the elegant right hander Rodney Lawrence, and gifted left arm spinner Asif Hooper. Other seasoned players include former West Indies pacer Kenroy Peters, West Indies U19 opening batsman Gidron Pope, and spinning sensation Kenneth Dember.
This year , the team will be without the services of Alston Bobb, who is in England playing league cricket, and both Keron Cottoy and Dawnley Grant, who are injured. Ray Jordan was also unavailable, playing cricket in England. Additionally, former captain, Lindon James and Romel Currency have also made themselves unavailable due to personal commitments.
Former West Indies fast bowler, Deighton Butler, will coach the team.
In an interview, the coach said he is “upbeat about the chances of winning the tournament this year, and looking forward especially to the new faces in the set up, who will be eager to show their talent at this level.” Coach Butler further added “having a young and new captain also brings a new energy to the team that should make the tournament an interesting and hopefully a successful campaign for SVG”.
The team departs SVG for Grenada on the May 26, 2016. The tournament will be 2-day format. Dominica is the defending champion.
Full team (with local clubs):
- Sunil Ambris (Cpt) – Guardian General Saints
- Miles Bascombe (V.Cpt) – Victors 1
- Atticus Browne – Victors 1
- Shaquille Browne – Victors 1
- Kenneth Dember – Police 2
- Donwell Hector – Victors 1
- Asif Hooper – Team Rivals
- Roneil Jeffery – Team Rivals
- Delorn Johnson – Flow Radcliffe
- Rodney Lawrence – Flow Radcliffe
- Kenroy Peters – Guardian General Saints
- Gidron Pope – The News Spartans
- Casmond Walters – Team Rivals
- Obed McCoy – Team Rivals – 14th player.
Reserves:
- Deron Greaves – Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO
- Othniel Lewis – Flow Radcliffe
- Romano Pierre – Flow Radcliffe
- Rickford Walker – Guardian General Saints
