THE first week of the Hero Men’s Caribbean Premier League tournament is behind us. The SKYEXCH 6ixty tournaments have also concluded along with the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). Fans have been entertained with some attractive cricket, but rain has also played its part with two matches washed out.
After two weeks of action, Newsday has made a few observations:
WI will miss Dottin and Mohammed
The experienced pair of Anisa Mohammed and Deandra Dottin, who led Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to the inaugural WCPL crown, will leave a void in international cricket.
Mohammed, last Friday, announced that she will be taking a six-month break from international cricket.
Mohammed, who turns 34 on Wednesday, has been playing for West Indies for almost 20 years, after making her debut in 2003.
In a Cricket West Indies media release Mohammed said, “I must listen to my body and my mind that I need to take time away from the game at this time.”
The TKR off spinner showed during the 6ixty and WCPL tournaments that she is still a match winner.
In the WCPL final against Barbados Royals on Sunday, Mohammed grabbed 3/16 in 3.4 overs. She grabbed the final two wickets to seal the title for TKR by getting the prized wicket of Royals captain Hayley Matthews for 46 and Mandy Mangru for duck.
She ended the tournament with the best bowling average (6.25) and was just one wicket shy of the most wickets despite playing a game less.
Dottin, the TKR captain, has also been instrumental for the TT franchise. In the WCPL final, she struck 59 off 62 deliveries which was the highest score in the match. It was also the only fifty of the tournament.
In both the 6ixty and WCPL, boundary hitting was at a minimum, but Dottin showed why she is one of the most destructive cricketers in the women’s game with impressive hitting. She ended the WCPL with the most sixes.
Dottin, 31, announced her retirement from international cricket one month ago.
On Twitter, Dottin said, “The current climate and team environment has been non-conductive to my ability to thrive and reignite my passion."
The absences of Mohammed and Dottin will leave room for others to make a name for themselves, but it will be difficult to fill their shoes.
A few players who are trying to become permanent fixtures on the West Indies women’s team did show glimpses of their potential in the 6ixty and WCPL including TKR players Lee-Ann Kirby and Sheneta Grimmond. Kirby delivered a solid all-around effort and Grimmond was useful as an off spinner.
Guyana Amazon Warriors medium pacer Cherry-Ann Fraser and Royals all-rounder Qiana Joseph also showed their talent.
[caption id="attachment_973794" align="alignnone" width="819"] Trinbago Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard, right, hugs his spinner Akeal Hosein during a recent CPL match. Photo courtesy Trinbago Knight Riders[/caption]
Hosein off to quick start
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein is expected to spearhead the TKR spin bowling attack during the Hero CPL.
A year ago this might have been blasphemo
