Local players locked in for Cool and Smooth T20
Basseterre, St. Kitts, Apr 12, 2024 (ZIZ Newsroom): Cricketers from St Kitts and Nevis are now in the throws of preparation for the first edition of the St Kitts and Nevis Cool and Smooth T20. Each of the six teams now have a squad of 13, with captains installed and ready to lead their team, Leeward Island regional players, and a host of local talent.
The St Kitts and Nevis Cool and Smooth T20 tournament is the sister tournament of the same name that has been running in Antigua for the past decade. However, the St Kitts and Nevis edition promises an opportunity for local players to forge their name in a brand-new history book. Preparations are well and truly in full swing, with the tournament being held at Warner Park from April 22 to May 04.
Local icons Colin Archibald and Jeremiah Louis will be leading the Brown Hill Dolphins and the Hayes Smith Sharks, respectively, with the other teams being led by Adelvin Phillip (Government Road Stingrays), Jacques Taylor (Mollineaux Blue
Runners), Cameron Pennyfeather (St Paul’s Barracudas), and Theron Bussue (Sandy Point Snappers). As part of the tournament, each team was asked to draft at least two U19 players with a requirement to play at least one U19 player in three of the five group stage matches.
Speaking about the creation of the tournament CEO of the tournament, Dario Barthley, who will be supported by tournament directors Darc Browne and Therele Wallace, explained the logic in bringing the tournament to St Kitts: “Having successfully ran the Cool & Smooth T20 for ten years in Antigua and being privileged enough to witness the talent of St. Kitts and Nevis players firsthand, we thought it was only fitting that the federation get its edition. Players like the Louis brothers and Tonito Willet before them are perfect examples of how the players here can compete with the region’s best.”
The tournament has attracted some of the most talented players from inside the Leewards Islands region, with West Indies U19 star Nathan Edward being drafted into the Government Roadside and St Paul’s being boosted by the international quality of Rakheem Cornwall.
As part of the tournament, local communities will come to the forefront and be represented to make sure that the teams become an established part of the St Kitts and Nevis sporting ecosystem and to fill Warner Park. Alongside ZIZ’s coverage of the tournament, updates about the tournament can be found on the dedicated Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/cstwenty20/
Stay tuned to ZIZ for further tournament coverage, including match reports, interviews, and community news.