Windies Women Cricketers need funds

The West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF) is still hopeful that regional corporate entities will come to their rescue to enable their team to participate in Women’s World Cup set for South Africa.

The regional body has been sending out several distress calls which have been met with oblivion in some quarters.{{more}}

However, in a show of faith, the federation went ahead and held a training camp recently in Trinidad and Tobago, following which a 15 member squad was selected for the March 22 to April 10 event.

The only show of benevolence to the WIWCF thus far has come from the Trinidad and Tobago government, which has agreed to bear the costs of airfare for their representatives.

The squad selected shows three newcomers in Cordell Jack, an all rounder from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, opening batter and medium pacer Pamela Lavine from Barbados, and 17-year-old Kirbyine Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago.

The 47-year-old Stephanie Powers retains the captaincy. She was part of the West Indies teams of the 1993 and 1997 World Cups who played in England and India respectively. She will have as her deputy, her compatriot Nelly Williams.

The other selectees from the twin island republic are Envis Williams, Shane Da Silva, Felicia Cummings and Anisa Mohammed.

St. Lucia gained three selections in Verena Felician, Philipa Thomas and Nadine George.

George, last year, wrote herself into the history books becoming the first woman to score a test century when she hit 118 against Pakistan.

Felician, on the other hand, was part of West Indies’ make up to the 1997 World Cup.

The team is completed by Indomatie Goodial of Guyana, Juliana Nero of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Debbie Ann Lewis from Grenada.

The team will have its final two-week camp from February 19 to be held in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Meanwhile the regional team will engage New Zealand in their first match on March 22 in Harlequin.

Australia, England, India, Sir Lanka, Ireland and host South Africa complete the participating countries.

West Indies failed to qualify for the 2000 tournament. Vincentian Cinda Bobb is the team’s manager with Ann Browne-John of Trinidad and Tobago – coach.