By: Curtis Morton
Chief organizer of the upcoming trip to St.Maarten by the Nevis Masters’ Cricket team, Franklyn KUT Daniel, is adamant that the champion team of the last two years, will win the upcoming tournament in convincing fashion and in effect, three-peat.
Daniel was speaking on Monday at the Elquemedo Willet Park, as the team prepared for training and practice exercises.
He was quick to point out that the squad selected for the St.Maarten trip was basically the same as the winning squad last year, except for the absence of Gerard TRINI Charles.
Daniel explained that the squad will journey to St.Maarten on Thursday 21st May, leaving the Charlestown Port at 2pm. They are expected to arrive at their destination in approximately three hours, which would give them adequate time to prepare for their first match of the tournament, the following day, Friday 22nd May, versus arch rivals St.Kitts. Nevis will play St.Thomas on Saturday 23rd. Both matches are slated for St.Maarten.
The boat leaves St.Maarten at 1pm on Monday 25th to return to Nevis.
The full squad reads:
Frank Monzac; Alexis FOX Tyson; Oneil Walters; Ellison Smithen; Carl Tuckett; Eustace Johnson; Colin Archibald; Merlin Liburd; Ardie Liburd; Curtis Morton; Patrick Newton; Ellison Smithen; Charles YELLOW Hendrickson; Sterling Marshall; Derrick Parry; Vellie Maynard; Junior DUNCAN Mills ; Eustace Johnson; Carl Tuckett; Teddy BLACKMAN Liburd and Wendell MICEY Wallace.
The captain is Carl Tuckett; Coach is Joel Simmonds and the Manager is Oscar ASTRO Browne.
Daniel indicated that he is pleased with the fitness level of the cricketers who are all currently involved in the local league and have commenced practice as a team within the last week.
The tournament will be hosted in St.Maarten with matches also scheduled for Anguilla.
The semis and finals are slated for the host island.
Zone one: Nevis; St.Thomas; St.Kitts and St.Maarten
Zone two: Antigua; Anguilla and St.Croix.
Daniel also informed that just in case members of the public are interested in making the trip, there are still ten spots available at just EC $350.00 for the round trip per person.
He took time out to thank the main sponsors of the team: The Nevis Island Administration; The Four Seasons Resort; NAGICO and The St.Kitts-Nevis Development Bank.