2 weeks Ago
Former Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 skipper Navin Bidaisee was awarded his first professional contract with the Red Force while batters Evin Lewis and Isaiah Rajah both returned to the contracted players’ list for the 2024-25 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League. Rajah, who last played for the Red Force in 2022, had an impressive domestic season with Queen’s Park Cricket Club. This aided in his return to the squad, while Bidaisee was one of two Under-25 players on the T&T roster.
CWI have mandated the territorial franchises to select a minimum of two Under-25 players in their list of 15 contracted players for the 2024-25 PCL season. Cephas Cooper is the other Under-25 player in the T&T squad, the opening batter keeping his place in the side after receiving a contract last year. The contracts of former Red Force captain Darren Bravo, veteran leg-spinner Imran Khan and left-arm fast bowler Shaaron Lewis were not renewed for the upcoming season.
Although already retired from international cricket, veteran T&T players Jason Mohammed and Shannon Gabriel have both been awarded retainers with the Red Force . Meanwhile, T&T’s Jeremy Solozano was retained by the Windward Islands, the opening batter keeping his place in the side after being drafted by the franchise in 2023. Along with the 90 regional contracts (15 each for the six territorial franchises) CWI have also awarded a total of 14 regional contracts to female cricketers from the various territories.
For T&T, Shalini Samaroo, KD Jazz Mitchell and Reniece Boyce were awarded contracts. Three players each from Guyana and the Windward Islands along with two each from Barbados and the Leeward Islands and one from Jamaica also received year-long contracts. The new regional women’s contracts brings the total of contracted regional players to 104 for the year and 164 in total including Senior West Indies and Academy players.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe stated the awarding of contracts to female players “underscores CWI’s commitment to advancing cricket in the region.” “The only way to ensure that West Indies teams, both men and women, have consistent showings at the international level is to ensure the development and growth at the regional level. CWI is dedicated to making this further investment in our regional talent and building a strong foundation for future success, which is in line with our strategic plan,” Bascombe added.
Contracted Regional Players List 2024/25: 14 Female Contracted Players: Barbados: Shanika Bruce, Alisa Scantlebury Guyana: Shenetta Grimmond, Plaffiana Millington, Mandy Mangru Jamaica: Celina Whyte Trinidad & Tobago: Shalini Samaroo, KD Jazz Mitchell, Reniece Boyce Leeward Islands: Melicia Clarke, Kimberley Anthony Windward Islands: Earnisha Fontaine, Abini St Jean, Nerissa Crafton 90 Male Contracted Players (by territory): 90 Male Contracted Players: BARBADOS—Kadeem Alleyne (U25*), Shaquille Cumberbatch, Dominic Drakes, Jonathan Drakes, Matthew Forde, Chaim Alexis Holder, Chemar Holder, Akeem Jordan, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Smith, Jomel Warrican and Kevin Wickham (U25*). GUYANA—Kevlon Anderson (U25*), Ronaldo Alimohamed, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Matthew Nandu, Ashmead Nedd, Raymond Perez, Veerasammy Permaul Kemol Savory, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Isai Thorne (U25*), Sylus Tyndall and Sachin Singh. JAMAICA—Andre Bailey, Brad Barnes, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brown, Gordon Bryan, John Campbell, Jordan Johnson (U25*), Abhijai Mansingh, Kirk McKenzie (U25*), Odain Orland McCatty, Marquino Mindley, Romaine Morris, Jeavor Royal, Peat Salmon and Ojay Shields LEEWARD ISLANDS—Jewel Andrew (U25*), Colin Archibald, Jaleel Clarke, Rahkeem Cornwall, Daniel Doram, Karima Gore, Justin Greaves, Jahmar Hamilton, Kofi James, Jeremiah Louis, Mikyle Louis, Cameron Pennyfeather, Javier Spencer, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO—Navin Bidaisee (U25*), Yannic Cariah, Bryan Charles, Cephas Cooper (U25*), Shannon Gabriel, Jyd Goolie, Terrance Hinds, Amir Jangoo, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Isaiah Rajah and Tion Webster. WINDWARD ISLANDS—Sunil Ambris, Darel Cyrus, Kenneth Dember, Shadrack Descartes, Johnnel Eugene, Keon Gaston, Khamal Hamilton, Ryan John, Noelle Leo (U25*), Darius Martin, Kimani Melius, Stephan Pascal (U25*), Jeremy Solozano, Shamar Springer and Gilon Tyson..
