Cricketers looking for redemption in Argentina

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 20 February 2018

Conroy Wright has been a consistent performer (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

The Cayman Islands national cricket team is looking to rebound from its disappointing performance at the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 tournament last September, when it travels to Argentina this weekend for the 2018 ICC World T20 Americas qualifiers.

The 12-day trip features a tri-nation series against Argentina and Bermuda from 26 February to 3 March. 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.

This will be followed by the three teams also playing 50-over matches across three days.

Ramon Sealy returns as captain, with Alessandro Morris continuing as vice president. Other members of the team are Paul Manning, Troy Taylor, Conroy Wright, Gregory Smith, Michael Reid, Omar Willis, Adrian Wright, Darren Cato, Corey Cato, Alistair Ifill, Ainsley Hall and Kevon Bazil.

Alessandro Morris (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Cayman Cricket Technical Director Peter Anderson has been preparing the squad for the challenge.

“The 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. 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,” said Anderson, who led the side to Argentina a year ago when they swept the hosts in a bilateral series for qualification to the World Cricket League Division 5 tournament.

Sealy, who took the reins as skipper a year ago, said: “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.”

He also thanked supporters and sponsors. “It really means a lot to us to know that you have our backs,” the captain added.

Sealy (left) is making his third tour as skipper.

Anderson added that although costs of the trip were mostly covered by ICC funding, Cayman Cricket also met some of the teams’ costs. “As a not-for-profit organisation, we can only continue to get Cayman on the international tour with the help of sponsors and donations. A big thank you to all our sponsors, and to Digicel who have just renewed their sponsorship for 2018 providing, amongst other things, the travelling strips for the team,” he said.

A decade ago, Cayman was climbing the international rankings but has fallen off in recent years, including losing all games at the ICC WCL Div 5 tournament in South Africa last September.

Anderson said he looks to regain momentum to see the fortunes of the national team rise again. “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,” he said.

Tournament schedule