Cricket

Jemimah Rodrigues, a seasoned T20 globetrotter, is currently honing her skills in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) for Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). With the upcoming women's T20 World Cup in the UAE looming, Rodrigues views this tournament as an invaluable opportunity to test herself in competitive environments and clutch moments.Rodrigues' international debut came in 2018, but her career hit a rough patch in 2021. However, she rediscovered her form during her time with Northern Superchargers in the Hundred, where she struck an unbeaten 92 in her first game. This performance gave her career a second wind.As she prepares for her fourth T20 World Cup, Rodrigues believes that the WCPL stint will provide her with the best possible preparation. "These are the matches that I'm actually going to get before going and playing like proper team matches [T20 World Cup]," she said. "I'm really looking forward to a few things that I'm working on to try and implement it here because when you do it in practice it's different. When you do it in a match, it's way different and franchise cricket has always excited me."Rodrigues has been known to be a touch player, but she has had to move out of her comfort zone and bat at No. 5 for India. However, at the WCPL, she is likely to bat at No. 3. Despite the challenges of batting on slower Caribbean surfaces, Rodrigues is confident in her ability to adapt. "For me, just knowing which shots work and having that clarity and going out there with clarity helps wherever I play," she explained.Rodrigues' versatility and adaptability make her a valuable asset to any team. She is eager to embrace the challenges of the WCPL and use it as a platform to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Indian cricketers Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey, and former pacer Jhulan Goswami have joined the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) for the inaugural Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) scheduled from August 21 to 29.The Trinbago Knight Riders Women, led by Deandra Dottin, will commence their campaign against defending champions Barbados Royals Women on Thursday. The team boasts an impressive roster, including Australian captain Meg Lanning, all-rounder Jess Jonassen, and the newly arrived Indian trio.Jhulan Goswami, who retired from international cricket last year, will serve as the mentor for the Knight Riders this season. Her experience and guidance will be invaluable to the team as they navigate the tournament.The WCPL is a significant development for women's cricket in the Caribbean region. It provides a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and gain international exposure. The tournament also aims to inspire young girls to pursue cricket and break down barriers in the sport.The Trinbago Knight Riders, with their diverse mix of international and local talent, are poised to make a strong impression in the WCPL. The team's success will not only benefit the franchise but also contribute to the growth of women's cricket in the Caribbean and beyond.

The rise of franchise cricket has sparked a debate in women's cricket, with former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami advocating for its prioritization over bilateral series. Goswami, who has been involved in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and Women's CPL, believes that franchise cricket is crucial for the growth of the sport.Goswami highlights the success of franchise leagues like the WBBL and Hundred in producing quality cricketers. She argues that giving priority to these leagues will ensure the availability of top players, leading to more competitive and successful tournaments.The calendar clash between franchise leagues and bilateral series has become a concern, with players facing difficult choices. Goswami suggests that the ICC should prioritize franchise league windows to avoid losing out on quality cricketers. She believes that bilateral series should be scheduled after these windows to ensure the growth of women's cricket.Goswami's views are supported by the busy calendar for the rest of 2024. The women's Hundred, WCPL, T20 World Cup, and WBBL are all scheduled within a short period, followed by international matches and home seasons for various teams.The prioritization of franchise cricket is seen as a way to address the limited pool of quality cricketers in women's cricket. By giving priority to these leagues, the ICC can ensure that the best players are available for the most competitive tournaments, which will ultimately benefit the growth and development of the sport.

The Barbados Royals, reigning champions of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), have bolstered their squad for the 2024 season with the acquisition of Sri Lankan superstar Chamari Athapaththu. The Royals have also retained key players from their title-winning campaign, including all-rounder Hayley Matthews and legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington.Athapaththu, a prolific batter and offspinner, brings a wealth of experience to the Royals. In 12 T20Is this year, she has amassed 371 runs, including a century against Scotland, and claimed 13 wickets. Her all-around abilities will be a valuable asset to the Royals' lineup.Matthews, who captained the Royals to victory last season, was a standout performer. She finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 191 runs at a strike rate of 132.63 and was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with seven. Her match-winning 82-run knock and two wickets in the final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors were crucial in securing the title.Wellington, meanwhile, was the second-highest wicket-taker in 2023 with eight scalps in five games at an impressive economy rate of 4.80. Her legspin will be a key weapon for the Royals in the upcoming season.In addition to Athapaththu, Matthews, and Wellington, the Royals have retained Laura Harris, Georgia Redmayne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Qiana Joseph from their 2023 squad. These players provide a solid foundation for the team, with a mix of experience and emerging talent.The Royals still have six spots to fill, which will be determined through the WCPL draft later in July. The team will be aiming to defend their title and continue their dominance in the tournament.The WCPL 2024 will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven games taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The Royals will face off against the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the tournament.

Trinbago Knight Riders Bolster Squad with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey for 2024 WCPLTrinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have made significant additions to their squad ahead of the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) season. Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues and fast bowler Shikha Pandey have joined the franchise, bringing a wealth of international experience and talent to the team.Rodrigues, a rising star in the Indian women's cricket team, is known for her aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly. She has represented India in over 100 international matches and has been a key player in their recent successes.Pandey, on the other hand, is a seasoned fast bowler with over 150 international appearances. Her accuracy and ability to swing the ball both ways make her a formidable opponent. She has been a consistent performer for India and has played a crucial role in their victories.TKR have also retained five players from their 2023 squad: Deandra Dottin, Shamila Connell, Kycia Knight, Zaida James, and Samara Ramnath. These players provide a solid foundation for the team, with Dottin being a powerful all-rounder, Connell a reliable fast bowler, and Knight a skilled wicketkeeper-batter.In addition to Rodrigues and Pandey, TKR have also secured the services of Australian batter Meg Lanning and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. Lanning, a former Australian captain and one of the greatest batters in the world, will bring her wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Jonassen, a highly skilled spinner, will add depth to TKR's bowling attack.With these additions, TKR have assembled a formidable squad that will be aiming to challenge for the WCPL title in 2024. The tournament will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven matches played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the fixtures for the second edition of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), which will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29. For the first time, three WCPL matches will be played as double-headers alongside West Indies men's T20Is against South Africa.The WCPL, which debuted in 2023, has become a strategic priority for CWI, showcasing the growing popularity of women's cricket in the region. The double-headers will provide fans with an unprecedented opportunity to witness both world-class international men's cricket and the best female cricketers in the Caribbean competing alongside top overseas players.All WCPL games will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, with the double-headers scheduled for August 23, 25, and 27. The inaugural WCPL edition was won by the Barbados Royals, led by Hayley Matthews.CWI CEO Johnny Grave expressed excitement about the new concept, stating, "Women's cricket continues to be a strategic priority for Cricket West Indies, and this is another exciting new concept for WCPL 2024. We are certain that there will be huge interest from people in Trinidad in these double headers."Pete Russell, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, added, "We are very excited to be able to work with Cricket West Indies to have the WCPL take place at the same time as these Men's T20 Internationals. It is another example of how the two organizations are working in harmony to provide the best outcome for fans, players, and cricket in the region."South Africa's tour of the Caribbean will begin with two Tests in Trinidad and Guyana from August 7, followed by the three-match T20I series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad from August 23. The two teams will also play a four-day warm-up game ahead of the Test series in Tarouba.