By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) has named a 14-man squad ahead of the pending Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) Men’s 50 Overs Tournament slated for September 29 to October 4 in St Kitts.
The team will be led by former USA national player and Liberta Blackhawks’ Karima Gore. The batter also represented the Leeward Islands Hurricanes last year. Joining Gore in the squad is West Indies Under-19 and Pigotts Crushers wicketkeeper/bat Jewel Andrew who is currently with the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League.
Another notable selection is all-rounder Kofi James who is also representing the Falcons in the CPL. James, who plays locally for the Blackhawks, also represented the Leeward Islands senior team last year.
Fast bowler Kelvin Pitman, who represented the Jamaica Tallawahs last year, was named in the squad as well. The Bethesda Golden Eagles player is currently also with the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Antigua and Barbuda will face opposition from St Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and a Combined team as they seek to defend the title they won when the tournament was last held in 2019.
Full Squad: Karima Gore (Captain), Deran Benta (Pigotts Crushers), Elroy Francis Jr. (Liberta Blackhawks), Kadeem Henry (Pigotts Crushers), Jawakie Joseph (Pigotts Crushers), Kadeem Josiah (All Saints Pythons), Kelvin Pitman (Bethesda Golden Eagles), Jewel Andrew (Pigotts Crushers), Mekali Tonge (Bethesda Golden Eagles), Kofi James (Liberta Blackhawks), Javier Spencer (Liberta Blackhawks), Essan Warner (Pigotts Crushers), Glenton Williams (Jennings Tigers), Tyrone Williams Jr. (Empire Nation). Reserves: Uri Smith (Liberta Blackhawks), Demari Benta (Pigotts Crushers) and Jedidiah Martin (Jennings Tigers).
The team will be coached by Pernell “Shafto” Watley with Purnell “Roxy” Joseph as his assistant and team manager. Dane Gustave will travel as team scorer.
