Williams calls for more women’s cricket in the region

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

Successful Jamaica Women’s captain Rashada Williams has urged Cricket West Indies (CWI) to provide more playing opportunities for female cricketers in the Caribbean.

Williams led her side to their sixth CG United Women’s Super50 Cup title last weekend in a truncated tournament that only featured three rounds of matches.

CWI had earlier announced a shortened competition, citing financial strain as the main reason behind the move.

Jamaica Women emerged victorious on 21 points, one more than second-placed Windward Islands Women and third-placed Guyana Women.

Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio programme earlier this week, Williams said while she was thrilled to have captained Jamaica to the title, she lamented the fact that only three rounds were played.

“So, I think that it’s only fair that they add more games to the Super50 tournament. It doesn’t make sense holding a tournament where we are only playing three games and then you want to determine a winner. It’s just not enough cricket.

“As I said before we play in the regional tournaments in January, February every year and then there is a long break until next year January, February again, and if you’re not selected in the West Indies team or signed a league to play outside of the Caribbean like the WPL or the Big Bash, then you won’t have any cricket to play,” Williams contended.

The Jamaican captain also suggested a slight tweak to the way bonus points are awarded in the Super50.

She said bonus points on offer should not be more than the points for winning a match.

“For a win you get four points and I think you can probably get eight or more bonus points, so I think you could probably adjust it. I don’t think the bonus points should be more than the actual points you get for winning,” Williams said.