TRINIDAD and Tobago's national deaf cricket team, will get its chance to show off their talent when the TT Deaf Cricket Association (TTDCA) hosts the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) for two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty/20 matches in Trinidad from May 23-29.
The series will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean, with the ODIs being played at the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Balmain, Couva and the T20s being held at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair. The ODI series matches will be played from 10 am at the NCC on May 23 and 25, with the T20s bowling off from 2 pm on May 27-29.
The limited-overs series are the result of constant communication with TTDCA president Tenille Smith, the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) and the IDCA which initially started before the emergence of covid-19.
"We're proud to lead this initiative. This isn't just a cricket tournament. This represents a major step forward for deaf sports in the Caribbean," Smith said, via a May 8 release.
"It provides an opportunity for visibility, talent development and international collaborations. We're not just making history, we're building a future."
The Indian team is expected to arrive in Trinidad on May 20 after expediting the negotiations between the two countries.
"The TTDCA is calling on the public, government stakeholders, and corporate TT to come out and support this historic moment—not just as spectators, but as champions of inclusion, equality, and progress. Let's make some noise for those who play in silence, but (speak) through the game they love," the release said.
"After covid-19, the TTDCA was registered with DICC and they became affiliate members so the conversations started again about going to India or Pakistan to play a series. There was talk about going to Dubai as well for the DICC annual general meeting," TTDCA secretary Qushiba La Fleur told Newsday. La Fleur also serves as the team's sign language interpreter.
"However, because there is some rivalry happening between India and Pakistan, it was underlined for a while."
[caption id="attachment_1155103" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT Deaf Cricket Association president Tenille Smith (right) and members of TT's deaf national cricket team take in the action at the West Indies T20 Breakout League at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. - Photo courtesy TTDCA[/caption]
Giving the ongoing tension, the IDCA decided it would be more feasible to send its national team to the Caribbean shores.
"The conflict between Pakistan and India doesn't affect anything with the Indian team at all. They already have their clearance to travel. And because it's an international cricket team, they don't have a problem in leaving the country," La Fleur said.
"Everything is sorted out for them. All they required from us was an invitation letter inviting them and informing their government and the DICC that we were hosting this series.
"After this tourney, the idea is for TT's deaf national cricket team to go to the World Cup next year in A
