WEST Indies women's star Deandra Dottin will captain the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) women's team in the inaugural 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) women's tournament. TT and West Indies cricketer Anisa Mohammed will serve as the team's vice-captain.
The 2022 CPL will be held from August 30-September 30 with matches being held in Trinidad, Guyana, St Kitts and St Lucia.
Dottin is one of the most exciting T20 women's cricketers in the world with her power-hitting ability, medium-pace bowling and spectacular fielding.
Off-spinner, Mohammed is one of the most seasoned campaigners in women's cricket. She is also a useful lower-order batter.
Among those who have been signed by TKR are Natasha McLean, Sheneta Grimmond, twin sisters Kyshona and Kycia Knight, Jannillea Glasgow, Lee Ann Kirby, Steffie Soogrim, Shawnisha Hector and Caneisha Isaac.
The tournament will feature three teams including the Barbados Royals and the Guyana Amazon Warriors. West Indies women's captain Stafanie Taylor will lead the Amazon Warriors and Matthews will be the skipper of the Royals.
Each team will add three overseas players to their squad.
Chief operating officer of the CPL Pete Russell has been planning to start a women's tournament for years.
In the 2019 CPL, two women's T10 exhibition matches were played during the playoffs in an effort to bring more awareness to the women's game in the region.
TT and West Indies cricketer Britney Cooper has been talking about the importance of providing more opportunities for women's cricketers in the region. Cooper will represent the Royals this year.
According to a CPL media release, Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt, said, 'This inaugural women's version of the CPL represents a huge upward step for West Indies cricket. I am grateful to all those in CPL and CWI who made it happen, especially the three pioneering franchises who have so willingly got on board.'
Many of the TKR men's players welcomed the TKR women's players to the franchise.
On the TKR Twitter page, TKR men's captain Kieron Pollard said, 'I want to wish them all the best and welcome them to the TKR family.'
West Indies T20 and 50-over captain Nicholas Pooran commended the CPL for including a women's tournament.
'This is a great step towards making the game more popular in the Caribbean,' Pooran said.
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein said, 'TKR women's team look so strong and we look forward to see them do their best in CPL. Remember we are the best.'
Fast bowler Jayden Seales is eager to see the TKR women compete. 'I am really excited to see TKR women's team play in this year's CPL. All the best.'
Top-order batsman Tion Webster said, 'Hey TKR women. Welcome to the family (and) best wishes for CPL.'
SQUADS
TKR
Deandra Dottin (captain), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Natasha McLean, Sheneta Grimmond, Kyshona Knight, Kycia Knight, Jannillea Glasgow, Lee Ann Kirby, Steffie Soogrim, Shawnisha Hector, Caneisha Isaac.
Barbados Royals
Hayley Matthews (captain), S
