Questions raised over BCA decision to overlook Windies stars for U19 leadership

The decision to leave West Indies youth players Asabi Callender, 19, and NaiJanni Cumberbatch, 17, out of leadership roles for the Barbados Women’s Under-19 team has sparked debate, given their extensive regional and international credentials.

The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has named 16-year-old Theanny Herbert-Mayers as captain for the ongoing Rising Stars Championship in Trinidad and Tobago. All three players are included in the squad for the 35-over tournament, but Herbert-Mayers’ appointment over teammates with World Cup experience has raised questions among coaches and observers about the transparency of the selection process.

A coach familiar with the players, speaking to Barbados TODAY on condition of anonymity, said Herbert-Mayers has the talent and potential to become a leader but questioned the timing of the appointment.

“Theanny is no fool. I have no doubt she’ll do a good job. But I thought that would have been a little later down the line. She has two or three more years,” he said, suggesting that the selection panel – Pat Greenidge, head coach Robin Parris, and Roxanne Forte – could have used this tournament to groom Herbert-Mayers as a future leader under a more experienced captain.

“NaiJanni has another year. You could groom Theanny as vice-captain under a captain.”

The coach also described the decision as “a little disrespectful to the girls who have been West Indies representatives”.

“I don’t agree with it,” he said.

The coach further alleged wider problems within the programme’s leadership and communication. There were also reports of tension between Greenidge and then-head coach Ryan Hinds last year.

According to the source, reports have been written about these issues.

Callender, Cumberbatch, and Herbert-Mayers have been regular picks in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Regional tournaments from 2022 to 2024. Callender has previously held formal leadership roles, serving as Barbados vice-captain in 2023 under Trishan Holder and in 2024 under Erin Deane. She was also co-captain of the West Indies Women’s Under-19 squad that toured the United Kingdom in August to September 2024 — a squad that included Herbert-Mayers.

Callender and Cumberbatch also both represented West Indies at the 2023 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Callender then served as vice-captain at the 2025 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia, where Cumberbatch was also selected. In March 2025, Callender was invited to a West Indies Women’s Academy High Performance Skills Camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, underscoring her standing among the region’s most promising players.

The three were also selected this year for the Barbados Pride Women’s squad for the CG United Regional Super50 Cup and Regional T20 tournament in St Kitts & Nevis. Notably, Cumberbatch also played for the Barbados Royals Women in the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League. In 2023, Callender and Herbert-Mayers both played in the senior regional Super50 and T20 Blaze tournaments, while Cumberbatch featured in the T20 Blaze.

Responding to concerns about the leadership selection, BCA Chairman of Women’s Cricket, Pedro Greaves, confirmed the BCA board had formally approved the squad and its leadership.

“We received a recommendation from the selection panel naming Ms Theanny Herbert-Mayers as captain with a view that she could be a potential leader for the next World Cup,” he said. “Her knowledge of the game and leadership qualities have been acknowledged by coaches and key persons. This was seen as the right time to give her the responsibility, with Asabi’s, Erin’s and NaiJanni’s experience also in the squad to help expand our leadership base at the under-19 level.”

Greaves added: “To show our commitment to their development, Erin [Deane] recently secured a job placement at the BCA while studying Sports Management, and NaiJanni has secured a scholarship at St Bede’s.”

Barbados TODAY reached out to Ryan Hinds, last year’s Under-19 head coach, and Holder, West Indies and Barbados Women’s cricketer. Both declined to comment.

The BCA did not officially announce a vice-captain, but it is understood that wicketkeeper Dicoreya Collymore has been chosen for the role. Collymore also has youth international experience, having been named in the West Indies Under-19 squad to face the USA Under-19 team in Trinidad in July 2024. However, her appointment has also drawn scrutiny over a potential conflict of interest, as chief selector Pat Greenidge is said to be a relative.

When contacted, Greenidge answered her phone but said she was unable to speak at the time and would return the call. As of the time of publication, no further comment was received.

On Tuesday, rain forced the abandonment of Barbados’ opening match against Windward Islands at the National Cricket Centre in Couva. Thursday’s match against Trinidad and Tobago was also abandoned due to rain, with the hosts 25 for two in six overs after being asked to bat first at the Diego Martin Sports Complex.

rohansonnwaithe@barbadostoday.bb