THE FUTURE of women's cricket looks bright as the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) charts the return of the leading regional players to the international Test arena.
In acknowledging that TT has been at the top of the region in the development of the sport for women, TTCB president Azim Bassarath feels though that more respect and support is needed.
With this in mind, the TTCB is planning to host a series of matches featuring the top local cricketers in August in conjunction with the TT Women's Cricket Association.
This he hopes will lay the foundation for a recommendation to Cricket West Indies that women's Test cricket featuring the Caribbean's best makes a return after 18 years against the other leading nations.
'We must show more appreciation to the women in the sport of cricket to attract more interest and build on the excellent club structure that exists locally,' said Bassarath.
In planning for the resumption of cricket for the 2022 season, Bassarath said the TTCB had mandated that all TTCB zonal affiliates stage a separate competition for women to encourage participation.
During the covid19 pandemic when team sports were banned, the TTCB was quietly developing an area south of the National Cricket Centre in Balmain into two cricket fields.
The objective is to dedicate the grounds exclusively for women's cricket and Bassarath said the official handover to the women's association will be made to coincide with the matches in August.
'We recognise that the demands on the NCC ground and its facilities are great, so a place which will be for women's cricket will give a big boost to their aspirations,' said Bassarath.
The area is already in use and scores of fitness enthusiasts and families make use of the safe, secure area on a daily basis and are grateful to the TTCB for making it accessible for everyone.
Over the years, TT have produced several outstanding women's cricketers including off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who has been picked by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the prestigious One-Day team of the decade.
Mohammed is also an ICC World Cup winner with West Indies.
Bassarath said former West Indies and TT captain/wicket-keeper Merissa Aguilleira also distinguished herself and is now pursuing coaching interests in an effort to make a further meaningful contribution to the game.
He said he was not surprised to learn that at the recent CWI Women's Championship in Guyana, Aguilleira was treated as a great ambassador of the game.
Also making a name for herself is Stacy-Ann King who, like Aguilleira, retired from the game but is easily recognisable as an international television pundit in the men's and women's game.
Among local players who is among the aforementioned stars who have taken TT cricket to the top of the ladder is Britney Cooper.
Bassarath said TT has a long tradition of producing women cricket stars foremost of whom is Ann Browne-John who captained the national team and played both hockey and cricket for TT.
Browne-John is the lead West Indies w
