By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE West Indies Cricket Board Women’s Regional Super50 Tournament bowls off today, with three matches here.Guyana will play defending champions, Windward Islands at the Enterprise ground, while Barbados face Trinidad and Tobago at Enmore and debutantes Leeward Islands clash with Jamaica at Everest.
The tournament will comprise five rounds followed by the final which will be played on July 17.
The WICB Women’s Regional Twenty20 Tournament will then commence July 21 and conclude with the grand final on July 25 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Both formats will comprise six teams: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago Leeward Islands and Windward Islands.
Meanwhile, at the official opening ceremony last evening at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion, president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Drubahadur welcomed each participating team, adding that the GCB is grateful to host the tournaments, since it will give the young Guyanese players an opportunity to showcase their talents amongst the best female players regionally.
He urged the players to play to their full abilities and at the same time respect the rule of the game.
The GCB boss pointed out that the board has always advocated the development of female cricket, and to this end, he noted that the GCB has already drafted an extensive programme for the development of female cricket.
“We here in Guyana are not short of talent, it’s just a matter of time to have that talent noticed,” Drubahadur concluded.
Also making brief remarks was Director of Sport Christopher Jones, who welcomed the visiting teams, and at the same time urged Guyanese to support the games.
Jones pointed out that the Guyana government is extremely firm on the development of female sport, adding that the government has allocated significant funding for female participation in the sport.
Further, WICB Project Officer (Female) Josina Luke, in her remarks, pointed out that this year’s tournament is special, since Leeward Islands are participating for the first time.
She encouraged all players to gain the requisite knowledge both on and off the field of play. All games bowl off at 09:30hrs and admission to the venues is free.
The teams are as follows:
Guyana: Tremayne Smartt (capt.), Akaze Thompson (v-capt.), Melaine Henry, Latoya Smith, Shemaine Campbelle, Kavita Yadram, Shakiba Gajnabi, Heema Singh, Plaffiana Millington, Subrina Munroe, Erva Giddings, Mandy Mangru, Lashuna Toussaint, and Kaysia Shultz. The Manager is Carol Nurse and the coach is Andre Percival.
Windward Islands: Afy Fletcher (capt.), Akeira Peters, Holly Charles, Rackel Williams, Rosilia Registe, Krisani Irish, Qiana Joseph, Swaykine Williams, Nerissa Crafton, Roylin Cooper, Yasmine St.Ange, Juliana Nero (v-capt.), Glendeen Turtin, and Stacy Ann Adams. The manager is Eugena Gregg and the coach is Cleton Burnette.
Barbados: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliot, Allison Gordon, Reshelle Griffith, Malissa Howard, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Shaquana Quintyne (capt.), Shakera Selman, Carlene Taitt, Shanna Thompson, and Tiffany Thorpe. The manager is Monica Cumberbatch and the coach is Erza Moseley.
Leeward Islands: Shawnisha Hector (capt.), Saneldo Willett (v-capt.), Amanda Edwards, Jenisen Richards, Terez Barker, Eldora Sylvester, Sherma Jackson, Grace Persaud, Melicia Clarke, Jasmine Clarke, Davanna Claxton, Rozel Liburd, Kimberly Dookhan, and Kerisha Powell. The manager is Kattian Baltimore and the coach is Percy Daniel.
Trinidad and Tobago: Merissa Aguilleira (capt.), Anisa Mohamed (v-capt.), Rosalie Dolabaile, Karishma Ramharack, Shenelle Lord, Rachael Vincent, Lee Ann Kerby, Amanda Samaroo, Reniece Boyce, Stacy Ann King, Kirbyina Alexander, Britney Cooper, Kamara Ragoobar, and Selene O’Neil. The manager is Marjorie Thomas and the coach is Gerald Garcia.
Jamaica: Stafanie Taylor (capt.), Chedean Nation (v-capt.), Shanel Daley, Tameka Sanford, Natasha McLean, Jodian Morgan, Vanessa Watts, Roshana Outar, Alecia Bookal, Chinelle Henry, Jerona Walcott, Keneisha Ferron, Rashada Williams, and Corrine Howell. The Manager is Pauline White-Andersona nd the Coach is Cleon Smith.