National Women’s Cricket captain Merissa Aguilleira believes T&T can wrestle the West Indies Women’s Super50 Championship title away from Jamaica this year.
T&T will be among the favourites in the tournament, which bowls off in Trinidad tomorrow. Aguilleira is confident of the team’s chances in the tournament saying this can be T&T’s year. Aguilleira said: “Everyone truly believes this is the time. We really have been training hard and I believe once you put in the work you suppose to get results. I am hoping and praying that God shines on us and give us the result we really want.”
Defending champions Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Windward Islands North Zone and the Windward Islands South Zone will try to prevent T&T from winning the title at home. Players from Dominica and St Lucia will represent the Windward Islands North Zone, while Windward Islands South Zone is made up of players from St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
Aguilleira said preparations have been solid. “I am excited. I am looking forward to see what happens because we are well prepared. We had a trip to Barbados and did a lot of skill work. We must also credit the coach, the manager and the cricket board (T&T Cricket Board). They made sure our preparations were in place.”
The national skipper said T&T was on a high following the T&T Red Steel’s victory in the Caribbean Premier League. “If you really look around in the sporting arena, you could see a lot of things happening in T&T. You have Keshorn Walcott winning gold and Cleopatra Borel. It is up to us to continue that trend.”
Speaking about the T&T squad, Aguilleira said, “We have players that have been around a while, but I am really impressed with Karishma (Ramharack). She is a spinner that I am interested in, she is someone who is focused, but always willing to learn.” The captain said Ramharack can learn from experienced West Indies Women’s spinner Anisa Mohammed. Aguilliera also believes batter Felicia Walters is another player to look out for.
The Pakistan Women will tour the Caribbean later this year and Aguilleira said it’s an opportunity for the T&T players to impress the selectors. “Nobody's position is secure on the (West Indies) team. It is always good to showcase your talent, because selectors will be around looking to see new talent.” The T&T leader knows there are talented cricketers around the Caribbean, but she would like to see a lot of T&T players on the West Indies team.
