Two Kittitian Cricketers Selected for Under-19 World Cup

On January 1st, 2025, a momentous occasion unfolded at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts as two promising young cricketers, Jahzara Claxton and Aaliyah Weekes, embarked on a journey to represent their nation on the global stage. Their destination: Malaysia, where they would join their teammates in the West Indies Under-19 women’s cricket squad, poised to compete in the prestigious ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup 2025. The send-off ceremony, attended by officials from the St. Kitts Cricket Association and the Honorable Denzil Douglas, underscored the significance of this event for the island nation and the bright future of women’s cricket in the Caribbean. James Warde, a key figure in the athletes’ development, was also present to offer his support and well wishes.

This marked a crucial step for Claxton, hailing from Sandy Point, and Weekes, representing St. Paul’s, as they prepared to showcase their talent and dedication on an international platform. Their selection to the West Indies squad represents not only their individual achievements but also the culmination of years of hard work, training, and unwavering support from their coaches, families, and the local cricketing community. The journey to the World Cup would be challenging, but these young athletes were ready to embrace the opportunity and contribute to the success of their team. Their departure ignited a wave of excitement and anticipation across St. Kitts and Nevis, with the nation rallying behind its rising stars.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, Claxton and Weekes would integrate with the rest of the West Indies squad, led by captain Samara Ramnath and vice-captain Asabi Callender. The team, comprising fifteen talented young women from across the Caribbean, represented the region’s hopes and aspirations in the burgeoning world of women’s cricket. The diverse squad, including Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Denella Creese, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Amiah Gilbert, Trisha Hardat, Brianna Harricharan, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, and Kristen Sutherland, reflected the depth of talent and the growing popularity of the sport among young women in the West Indies.

The West Indies Under-19 women’s team, having assembled in Malaysia, were scheduled to undergo an intensive pre-tournament camp from January 5th to 10th. This crucial period would allow the players to acclimatize to the Malaysian conditions, refine their skills, strategize for the upcoming matches, and solidify their team cohesion. The camp provided an invaluable opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the players’ strengths, address any weaknesses, and fine-tune their game plan for the tournament ahead. The intense training sessions and practice matches within the camp aimed to ensure the team was fully prepared and ready to compete at the highest level.

Following the pre-tournament camp, the team would face two crucial warm-up matches, designed to provide valuable match practice and allow the coaches to evaluate the team’s performance under pressure. The first warm-up game against Nepal on January 13th presented an opportunity for the West Indies team to test their strategies and assess their preparedness against a competitive opponent. The second warm-up match against New Zealand on January 15th posed a sterner test, pitting the West Indies against a strong cricketing nation. These warm-up games served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, allowing the team to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum heading into the tournament.

With the pre-tournament camp and warm-up matches completed, the West Indies Under-19 women’s team would eagerly await their opening group-stage match scheduled for January 19th. The stage was set for these talented young cricketers to showcase their skills and compete against the best in the world. The experience gained through the rigorous preparation and warm-up matches would undoubtedly prove invaluable as they embarked on their World Cup journey. The nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, along with the entire Caribbean region, would be watching with pride and anticipation as these young athletes represented their countries on the global stage, aiming to make a mark in the world of women’s cricket.