West Indies women’s cricket captain Hayley Matthews is happy with the support from fans who yesterday welcomed West Indies and Barbados cricketers at Clifton Market in Limegrove for ‘Cricket Comes to Town’.
It is an initiative hosted by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) to create a buzz and exciting atmosphere ahead of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between hosts West Indies and India which begins Thursday at Kensington Oval, with the second fixture on Saturday.
“I think obviously us getting around, and getting about to meet the fans a bit was really good. I think it was good to see the amount of people that came down to Clifton Market. Hopefully it inspires people to come out and watch and keep supporting West Indies cricket all the time,” said Matthews who recently successful led her team to women’s ODI and T20 series triumphs against Ireland.
“We are in Barbados and it is great to be home. I think the initiative is about bringing West Indies cricket back home so great to have it here in Barbados and seeing people really come out to support us and have a chat, and watch the men (tomorrow),” remarked Matthews who will not be in attendance at the two men’s ODIs as she today heads off to England to represent Welsh Fire in the 2023 Hundred Women’s Competition from August 1 to 27.
The regional women’s captain joined BCA vice-president Calvin Hope, director Pedro Greaves and marketing and communications manager Steven Leslie aboard two ‘Bajan’ buses which first ventured to the west of the island, Limegrove before heading south to Sheraton Centre.
West Indies and Barbados fast bowler Akeem Jordan with some members of the recently selected Barbados Under-17 cricket squad. (Picture by Rohansonn Waithe)
The travelling party included several of her Barbados and West Indies women’s teammates, as well as some Barbados Pride men’s cricketers, including new West Indies ODI debutant Akeem Jordan, and the recently named Barbados Under-17 men’s squad. They greeted and posed for photos with numerous local and foreign cricket enthusiasts who anxious awaited the players’ arrival.
The supporters at Limegrove were unlucky to miss the opportunity to mix and mingle with West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope and head coach Daren Sammy, both of whom, headed to Sheraton for the remainder of festivities. (RW)