Women Development In America

By Dyon Ravello
Women Cricket has taken advantage of the numerous indoor facilities toward preparation for USACA and ICC tournaments. On interviewing members of the women development program, the common sentiment was that they would like to take women’s cricket to the next level. At this point Canada has been identified to be the immediate objective for the American ladies.

Roselyn Emmanuel has 13 years experience at the international level.

Like the American men, women cricket comprises of expatriates, from more familiar cricket outposts, mainly the Caribbean and India. Half of the group have played international cricket with the West Indies Women and the others have played at the regional level in the Caribbean. The group includes a level 1 coach in Indomatie Goordial.

From brief interviews with some key members of the development program revealed that America is never at want for talent and that is true for Cricket too. Cricket has grown globally at a rapid rate mainly through the advent of Twenty20 and the commercial spill over from the fanfare of the instant entertainment and blitz marketing.

The ripples from the Champions League and the IPL are making its way across the cricketing world faster than in any other sport before. War torn Afghanistan will have a well deserved tour to the scenic Caribbean they have been the icons for cricket development the same way the big spending dons of the subcontinent has boosted the image of the typically Commonwealth sport. So too the Afghans have redefine the landscape and have challenge the status quo.

With the same motivation women’s development has added to the comprehensive product on offer through cricket. In our plural society to see both men and women rub shoulders in sport is indeed a spectacle. Just over five years ago women were not exclusively recognized as their male counterparts. Even though women had been a part of sport for with beginning with the Olympics in the early 20th Century, only at the turn of the millennium have we seen women looked upon as complete parallels in sport? Recent additions include, WNBA, LPGA, only in the past decade have these events stamped real value on women sports.

The same can be said of cricket, when Claire Taylor the ICC Women world player of the year shared the podium with her male counterparts, it spelt ions for Women development in America. Women cricket in America, like the men has the potential to succeed on the international stage, like Ireland like Afghanistan and even more. But like all things successful it has to be nurtured. Under the watchful eyes of Linden Fraser, Coach, and Basil Butcher, Physical Trainer, the foundation has been set for Women cricketing excellence.

Key members include:
Indomatie Goordial
Guyanese-born All-rounder, former West Indies international, WICB Certified Level one (1) Coach, and Best Bowling 4 for 17 against Pakistan, Favorite Player: Shiv Chanderpaul
Goals: to play for the USA, defeat Canada to participate in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Roselyn Emmanuel
St Lucian, Wicketkeeper/Opening bat, 13 year International career with the West Indies, Played in the 1997 World Cup, Highest Score 52 versus Lancashire, Favorite Player: Curtly Ambrose (serious about the game but irie at heart). Goals: Continuous development of Women’s Cricket

Candacy Atkins
Guyanese born, Allrounder, former West Indies International, Highest Score 57 versus Trinidad and Tobago, Favorite Player: Curtly Ambrose
Goals: to defeat Canada to participate in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Lorina Vitte
St Lucian, Opening Bat, Highest Score 49 vs. St Vincent, Favorite Player: Brian Lara
Goals: to play for the US National Team

Triholder Gibson
Guyanese born, Medium Pacer, Teams: West Indies U 23, Best Bowling 4 for 25, Highest Score 38 Goals: to play for the US National Team

Sharda Saroop
Trinidadian born, Opening Bat, Highest Score 58 versus Barbados, Favorite Players: Matthew Hayden (M), Mathoil Raj (F) Goals: Always giving a good performance