After recording a spectacular performance in the cricket matches, the Dominican cricketer, Alick Athanaze, will now play for the West Indies cricket team after getting offered with his first central contract to play for the Windies team.
It is to be noted that, Athanaze is among the four cricketers who received first-time contracts which will be for the 2023-24 season. The others who will be joining Athanaze are left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, right-handed batsman Keacy Carty, and left-handed batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
As per the Cricket West Indies (CWI), the contracts were offered on the basis of the performance of the players during the 2022 to 2023 evaluation, period after the recommendations from the Selection Panels and approval by the Board of Directors.
Meanwhile, Head Selector of the West Indies Cricket, Desmond Haynes, said that “With the busy season ahead, thee contract shows the direction in which the regional cricket is heading.”
He added that, “With a busy year ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed talks with the two Head Coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play. The players who have been offered contracts are among those who we expect to feature, as we look to build towards challenging for the top spot when we hose and compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil.”
“We also have away Test Series in Australia and England – these are two major assignments whilst in the 50-over format we look to build a nucleus of players aimed towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” says Haynes.
It is to be specifically mentioned that, the contracts were not offered to the men’s team only but also for the women. All-rounder Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond received contracts for the first time. The lead selector for the West Indies Women’s Team, Ann Browne-John said, that in selecting contract players for the women’s team, main focus was on the development of young players.
Below are the contracted players for the 2023-2024 cricket season:
West Indies Men
- Alick Athanaze
- Kraigg Brathwaite
- Keacy Carty
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Joshua Da Silva
- Shai Hope
- Akeal Hosein
- Alzarri Joseph
- Brandon King
- Gudakesh Motie
- Rovman Powell
- Kemar Roach
- Jayden Seales
- Romario Shepherd
West Indies Women
- Aaliyah Alleyne
- Shemaine Campbelle
- Shamilia Connell
- Afy Fletcher
- Cherry-Ann Fraser
- Shabika Gajnabi
- Jannillea Glasgow
- Sheneta Grimmond
- Chinelle Henry
- Zaida James
- Mandy Mangru
- Hayley Matthews
- Karishma Ramharack
- Stafanie Taylor
- Rashada Williams
