Hinds: WCPL standard continues to improve

Despite winning an unprecedented three consecutive Women’s Caribbean Premier League titles, Barbados Tridents head coach Ryan Hinds knows his side will face a tougher test this season as they chase a historic fourth championship.

The Hayley Matthews-led Tridents launch their title defence against arch-rivals Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday at Kensington Oval.

Hinds said the quality across the franchises has improved significantly but he is looking forward to the boost of playing in front of a home crowd.

“They have drafted really well for this year’s WCPL.You can see the quality coming from the overseas players, you know, the quartet of South Africans… this year’s edition is really good, but we look forward to a really good show at home.

“Playing at the iconic venue, it will be important for us to start really well against TKR and you know build that momentum,” Hinds stated.

He said the franchise will be without one of its key players, but noted the squad still has plenty of depth.

“It’s unfortunate to lose a class player like Chamari Athapaththu but she’s at the Asian Games, and she reached out to me and she wished the team all the best. She’s a quality player, but we’re happy, we’re home and we look forward to the home support.”

Reflecting on the team’s success over the past three seasons, Hinds said the efforts have been spearheaded by Matthews, who he described as exemplary on and off the field. He said Matthews has made his job as coach a lot easier.

“Whenever a team has Barbados in front of it, it’s all about excellence…. It’s good that the minister of sport is here tonight. We have the quality, we have people like Hayley, Shakira Selman, Aaliyah Alleyne and others; these young ladies can build women’s cricket,” Hinds explained.

An animated Hinds also had a message for Minister of Education Chad Blackman, who was also in attendance.

“I know my friend Chad is here too, so these are the people that we need to really get into the schools and inspire young people.”

Hinds recounted an instance where the team would have taken the CPL trophy to a primary school and was immediately bombarded with questions from students, about the absent captain.

“Barbados has excellence and we just need to utilise what we have. My players tell me I talk too much sometimes, but I really want to say it has been a pleasure working with them over the years to create history.” (KH)