T and T aims to blood new talent on South African tour

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC– Trinidad and Tobago women’s cricket captain Merissa Aguilleira says one of the aims of the team’s tour of South Africa, which begins this weekend, is to help groom younger players.

The cricketers, who left Trinidad on Wednesday, will engage local clubs in a goodwill tour starting tomorrow.
“I think we have been lacking in certain areas, especially our batting, and we need to get it together as a team,” the 27-year-old wicketkeeper/bat told the Express.

“After all I think this tournament is going to show us where we are…we have five new players in the team so I guess we have to mould them as well. It’s all about the development process.”

The team boasts of five debutant players in the squad of 14- Samantha Bissoon, Rackeal Bissoon (no relation), Selene O’Neil, Kamara Ragoobar and Chantal Emmanuel.

The more experienced players include all-rounder Stacy-Ann King and Kirbyina Alexander, opener Amanda Samaroo and Britney Cooper who have all played for West Indies.

West Indies off spinner Anisa Mohammed and Felicia Walters have not been included due to injury.
“The girls have been doing well,” said Aguilleira.

“I’ve not been (in training) with them for the past few weeks, but I must say they have been doing pretty well, and all we have to do is continue what we’ve been doing.”

The players, whose last tour was to England in 2011, return home on April 19.