Cricket West Indies Masters Association enjoy successful 2022

Jan 14, 2023 Sports

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CWIMA REVIEW OF 2022

(Continued from yesterday)

1. O60s World Cup- Queensland, Australia- September, 2022

Kaieteur News – Our O60s ventured into the Sunshine State of Queensland, Australia to compete in the inaugural O60s World Cup under quite different conditions. The weather wreaked havoc with this tournament and the schedule was hastily adjusted by the World Cup Committee that resulted in us playing 7 matches in 9 days. That was a recipe for disaster that would test even the fittest of teams much less an O60s team not yet attuned to a proper fitness regimentation. Starting a World Cup having to play 3 back-to-back matches will never do justice for any team that does not play cricket regularly and not having any established leagues for that age group level followed by a solitary rest day then 2 other back-to- back matches and a rest day in between 2 other similar matches.

From the inception, our full complement of 17 players could not have been met when former Test player, Alvin Kallicharran, broke his finger and had to pull out from the tour at the last minute. This was further exacerbated when our vice-captain and opening batsman Kris Ramdat ruptured his ankle tendon and had to return the TT for emergency surgery. Off spinner Gerald Singh was also nursing a rotator cuff injury to his bowling arm that caused us to lose a major bowler from the get go. Walter Persaud was also struggling with a knee injury after the practice match against India but was forced to play in all of the matches. Our top batsman, Sunderdat Sookram, pulled up with a knee injury after the first match which ruled him out of most of the Cup matches. Our star player, Richard Sieuchan also pulled up with a groin injury midway through the tournament that severely crippled his performance even though he participated in all the matches. One of our main all-rounders, Hafiz Mohamed, came to Australia a bit under the weather and had to be carefully managed. Our liaison officer, George Downes, of Barbados roots was convinced to join us even though he was suffering from a knee injury also. He was also able to assist us in recruiting the De Silva brothers, Richard & Roger, from TT who were residing in Australia and were willing to take the time off to be a part of our squad for the tournament.

Richard Sieuchan was out top batter with 212 runs and a highest score of 60 not out and an average of 35.33. He was followed by captain Roy Singh with 198 runs at an average of 28.29. No other batter passed 100 runs in aggregate. Prem Singh was the pick of our bowlers finishing with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 4.51 followed by Hafiz Mohamed with 12 wickets at an economy rate of 4.96.

West Indies won their final encounter against Zimbabwe in the playoffs to finish at number 11 but lost all the other games by fairly close margins.

2. BIG MAN CRICKET O50s CARIBBEAN CUP- Barbados- November, 2022

CWIMA in its first attempt at hosting a tournament pulled off a major coup when it hosted a mini world cup with its 8 team BMC O50s Caribbean Cup. This tournament was announced at the closing ceremony of the Texas tournament and was hugely successful barring the inclement weather that affected some of the matches. The countries that participated were: Canada, England, India, UAE, USA, Wales, West Indies and West Indies A.

Preliminary matches were played at the BNOC, Pickwick, Windward, St Catherine and Police grounds. USA defeated West Indies in the final which was played at the historic Kensington Oval on Friday, November 11^th 2022. Following the final, CWIMA hosted a gala Closing/Presentation Dinner Awards Ceremony at the Golden Sands Hotel. USA carted off the beautiful BMC O50s Caribbean Cup whilst West Indies had to settle for the Runners up trophy. However, as a consolation, West Indies players copped three of the four individual awards presented that evening:

• PLAYER OF THE SERIES- ZAMIN AMIN (WI)
• BEST FIELDER- ANTHONY SAHADEO (WI)
• BEST BOWLER- ZAMIN AMIN (WI)
• BEST BATSMAN- JONATHAN WILEMAN (England)

This was our very first full year of cricket ever since our formation and we have achieved quite a lot and have had a very steep learning curve in administering tours and the like. One thing that stands out is the necessity for our players to adopt a consistent training and fitness regimentation as it has been proven that it is easier to sustain injuries when you are unfit. We trust that those players who intend to take masters cricket seriously will make this commitment for themselves, their families and West Indies cricket in general.

March 2022 in Texas marked a very significant milestone in our history when CWIMA was officially constituted as a legal body and held its first elections of officers. The following persons were elected as directors to serve:

Raj Singh- Chairman

Dave Narine- Vice-Chairman

Roy Singh- Secretary

Kenny Girdharry- Treasurer

Oral Bedessie- Asst. Secretary/Treasurer

Zamin Amin-Director

Anthony Morris-Director

Imtiaz Ali- Director

Julian Charles- Director

CWIMA wishes to extend best wishes to everyone for a bright and prosperous 2023.

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• Cricket West Indies Masters Association, CWIMA REVIEW, Raj Singh- Chairman, Sudesh Dhaniram, World Cup

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