Guyana Jaguars will begin their CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament against Barbados Pride on February 8 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.
This is according to Cricket West Indies (CWI) which announced the fixtures for the tournament yesterday. They also named Coolidge and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, as the host venues.
Most of the matches at Coolidge are day and night matches beginning at 13.30 hours while at the other venue, matches will begin at 09.00 hours.
According to the release, the tournament will run from February 7 to 27 and feature six teams playing 19 matches. Notably, the six franchises are Guyana Jaguars, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Barbados Pride, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions.
A new champion will be crowned as 2019 winners, West Indies Emerging Players and 2018 champions, Combined Colleges and Campuses Marooners will not take part due to COVID-19 constraints.
Jaguars will play their second match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes on February 12 before battling Jamaica Scorpions two days later.
The 2005 champions will then face Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on February 20. All four matches will be played at Coolidge before the final round-robin match against Windward Islands Volcanoes on February 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.If Jaguars are among the top four teams, they will advance to the semifinals which will be played on February 24 and 25 for a chance to make the final.
All matches are booked for Coolidge and are expected to be day and night encounters.
“The health risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to all domestic cricket since late March 2020, with no competitive cricket allowed regionally except for an abridged version of the Caribbean Premier League which took place last August in Trinidad,” the release stated.
The release detailed, “CWI has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sport in Antigua & Barbuda to orchestrate logistics and agree the safety and medical protocols for the commencement and duration of the tournament. All players, support staff, match officials and supporting professionals will be tested with negative COVID-19 results before their arrival into Antigua. Players, support staff and match officials will operate within a bio-secure bubble and will be tested at regular intervals during the tournament with assistance from the local Ministry of Health and CARPHA.”
According to Cricket West Indies Chief Executive Officer, Johnny Grave, “A huge amount of planning and work has been put in to ensure that the Super50 Cup can return and CWI would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, title partners CG Insurance, our host broadcasters ESPN Caribbean and our colleagues at the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association, for all of the their support in helping to stage the tournament during these unprecedented times.”
CEO of CG Insurance, Naz Farrow stated, “CG Insurance is proud to sponsor the CWI Super50 Cup and thrilled to be a part of the first tournament of 2021. We are happy to support the many players and organizers involved and recognize the major efforts that have gone into the preparation of this event during these unique times. By partnering with the CWI series, we have the opportunity to support our various Caribbean nations and to showcase that we are stronger together.”
West Indies limited overs captain, Kieron Pollard, who will lead Red Force expressed, “It is very good that cricket is coming back to the Caribbean … players will get the opportunity to showcase their skills and entertain our fans. It has been a trying 2020 for cricketers and the whole Caribbean, so it is really good that we have the CG Insurance Super50 Cup being played at this time and hopefully it can unearth some new talent.”
Fixtures
February 7 at Coolidge: Leewards Hurricanes v Windwards Volcanoes (day match)
February 8 at Coolidge: Guyana Jaguars v Barbados Pride
February 10 at Coolidge: Leewards Hurricanes v Barbados Pride
February 11 at Sir Vivian Richards: Jamaica Scorpions v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
February 12 at Coolidge: Leewards Hurricanes v Guyana Jaguars
February 13 at Coolidge: Windwards Volcanoes v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
February 14 at Coolidge: Jamaica Scorpions v Guyana Jaguars
February 15 at Sir Vivian Richards: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force v Barbados Pride
February 16 at Coolidge: Windwards Volcanoes v Jamaica Scorpions
February 17 at Coolidge: Leewards Hurricanes v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
February 18 at Sir Vivian Richards: Windwards Volcanoes v Barbados Pride
February 19 at Sir Vivian Richards: Leewards Hurricanes v Jamaica Scorpions
February 20 at Coolidge: Guyana Jaguars v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
February 21 at Coolidge: Barbados Pride v Jamaica Scorpions
February 22 at Sir Vivian Richards: Windwards Volcanoes v Guyana Jaguars
February 24 at Coolidge: Semi Final 1
February 25 at Coolidge: Semi Final 2
February 26 at Sir Vivian Richards: Fifth place v sixth place
February 27 at Coolidge: Final
