Cricket team heads to World Cup qualifiers
The Cayman National Cricket Team
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman National Cricket Team will fly to Argentina 24 February to begin its push to reach the finals of the ICC World T20 Championships. During the competition, the team will play 4x T20 matches facing both Argentina and Bermuda. The top two teams will go through to the next division and will then be pitted against teams from other regions. This system of qualifiers continues through to the finals.
The squad, which have been ramping up training and preparing under technical director Peter Anderson, consists of Ramon Sealy (captain) Alessando Morris (vice captain), Paul Manning, Troy Taylor, Conroy Wright, Gregory Smith, Michael Reid, Omar Willis, Adrian Wright, Darren Dato, Corey Cato, Alistair Ilfill, Ainsley Hall and Kevon Bazil.
Held at two venues in Buenos Aries, the Hurlingham Club and the Belgrano Athletic Club, there will be six game days in the tournaments, so whilst enthusiasm abounds, physical fitness and mental preparation will also be key to success, stated a press release.
After the T20 competition, the Cayman squad will remain in Argentina to play in a three-day 50-over international competition, again with Bermuda and Argentina.
Anderson said he was “absolutely delighted” to be accompanying the team to Argentina. “[T]he team have worked incredibly hard and it is going to be a very proud, and exciting, moment when we get on that plane to Argentina,” he said. “Of course, there are going to be a few nerves here and there, but the preparation has been spot-on and we are going to play our hearts out to get to the next level.”
Anderson explained that although costs of the trip were mostly covered by International Cricket Council (ICC) funding, Cayman Cricket also met some of the team’s expenses. “As a not-for-profit organisation we can only continue to get Cayman on the international tour with the help of sponsors and donations,” he said, adding, “Only 10 years ago Cayman was much higher in the ICC rankings but, in recent years, the team has lost some momentum.
“We are certainly focusing on youth cricket and progression with a long-term vision – these are exciting times, we can be even better than we were, but it will take some time, work, dedication and, of course, lots of support.”
Team captain Sealy spoke of competing in Argentina. “We are ready, ready to do the best that we possibly can and get through to the next round of competition. The team have been working really hard and are focused on what we have to do.
“This is a great opportunity not only to play some great cricket against other countries but also to represent the Cayman Islands. Thank you to all our supporters, and sponsors, it really means a lot to us to know that you have our backs,” he said.
