Brooks banking on leaner Jamaica women

THE JAMAICA senior women’s cricketers leave the island today for the CG United Super 50 and T20 Blaze regional tournaments, which bowl off on Monday in St Kitts with the opening round of the limited-overs tournament.

Head coach Shane Brooks says the spirit in the squad is at an all-time high with a fit-again captain Stafanie Taylor gunning to lead a stacked unit.

The Jamaican team welcomes the return of West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry and a pair of dynamic youngsters in Abigail Bryce and Jaunel Deers, who are eager to showcase their talent to the region.

Brooks, who was speaking at a send-off reception for the women at Sabina Park yesterday, says months of hard work have been paying off, with the team looking a lot leaner thanks to the good work from fitness trainer Leighton Leslie and assistant coach Carlton Baugh Jnr.

“The belief is a lot better this year, and in previous years, the fitness was not up to standard, but it is much better this year, and we also have better plans thanks to the addition of some key players and some exciting youngsters,” said Brooks.

The youngsters Brooks speaks of are Jamaica under-19 captain, Deers, and Bryce, who are both all-rounders. Brooks believes the duo can add some punch to the team.

“These youngsters, despite their age, would have made the team just based on their performance. Bryce is a hard hitter and a specialist in the field, and she is very knowledgeable, while Deers is a leader, and they have fit in very well,” added Brooks.

The brunt of the batting is expected to come from Taylor along with veteran Natasha McLean as well as West Indies wicket-keeper Rashada Williams and Chedean Nation, who is expected to join the team from Australia.

The bowling unit is also solid with the return of Henry along with veteran off-spinner Vanessa Watts and fast-rising seamer Celina Whyte, who was the leading fast bowler for the team last season.

The Jamaicans will open their account against defending champions Barbados, with the Leeward Islands taking on Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago facing the Windward Islands.

Jamaica Senior Women’s Squad

Stafanie Taylor (Capt), Rashada Williams, Chinelle Henry, Natasha McLean, Abigail Bryce, Vanessa Watts, Keneshia Ferron, Neisha-Ann Waisome, Jaunel Deers, Kate Wilmot, Nicole Campbell, Chedean Nation, Jessica Garcia, Celina Whyte