SVGCA president opposes Windwards female cricket unit

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Julian Jack says he is diametrically opposed to a Windwards cricket team for the annual West Indies Women’s Tournament.{{more}}

“ …I have been objecting to that move… I have heard it at West Indies Board meeting; I’ve heard it at Windwards Board meeting and I think the guys know my strong objection to that, because if we merge, it becomes as difficult for our women players in the Windwards as it is for now for the male players,” Jack commented.

He was responding to a question to him by SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday at the Stubbs Playing Field, at the opening of the 2014 RBTT/RBC Women’s Cricket Tournament, administered by the executive committee of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association.

Acknowledging that St Vincent and the Grenadines has lost its status as one unit to reckon with in the regional women’s game, Jack thinks that such a move will lessen the chances of Vincentians making the West Indies team.

“You have to make St Vincent first, then you have to make hundreds and good scores to make the Windwards and then even when you get into Windwards, you still have a problem,” Jack contended.

“I know they have some money problems, but for those countries who are playing cricket, they should really give them one shot… If you can make runs against Jamaica, against Barbados, against Guyana, you should be counted immediately… But to get counted you have to go through that whole line,” Jack added.

Drawing a parallel with the males, Jack said: “The male players currently would have to play two rounds of matches in order for them to qualify for the West Indies. Sometimes, when you look at it, they are better than a lot of those players from the other side, but if you just play for Barbados, as an example, you make a hundred now and you make 50 the next time, fellas start talking about it.”

The annual West Indies Women’s Cricket Tournament is played among Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, along with the four Windward Islands – Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, who play as separate entities.

Over the years, St Vincent and the Grenadines was among the top three teams; however, in recent times it has not been so and has been relegated to fifth and sixth in the pecking order.

In addition, the other three – Dominica, Grenada and St Lucia have been occupying the other lower positions, thus the intended move to have the Windwards play as a single unit.

The 2014 West Indies Women’s Cricket Tournament takes place in Dominica in August. (RT)