Over 100 cricketers yesterday, Saturday April 9, participated in the drafting of players for the DREAM 11 T10 Tournament which is scheduled to take place next month.
Six teams participated in the draft for which, according to the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA) – the tournament host – 102 entries were recorded at the end of registration on Friday.
However, only 72 of these players would eventually be drafted as each participating was expected to select twelve players. Those teams in order of the draft are (1) Titou Gorge Splashers, (2) Champagne Reef Divers, (3) Barane Aute Warriors, (4) Indian River Rowers, (5) Sari Sari Sunrisers, and (6) Valley Hikers.
The DCA was not expected to play a part in the selection process as the association’s Public Relations Officer, Augustine Beno Pascal told Dominica News Online (DNO) prior to the draft, that it would be done solely by the franchise management staff of the various teams, which includes a manager, a coach and a marquee player.
The management staff of the various teams are composed as follows:
Valley Hikers: Kevin James – marquee player, Fernix Thomas – coach and Gary Benjamin – manager
Indian River Rowers: Vincent Lewis – marquee player, Sam Kirnon – coach and Augustine Pascal – manager
Titou Gorge Splashers: Jerlani Robinson – marquee player, Ray Casimir – coach, Yvette Laurent – manager
Champagne Reef Divers: Micah Joseph – marquee player, Mervin Thomas – coach and Kimara Hurtault – manager.
Sari Sari Sunrisers: Casimir Benjamin – marquee player, Alexander Burton – coach and Ainsworth Irish – manager,
Barana Aute Worriers: Gian Benjamin – marquee player, Thomas Kentish – coach and the manager – Alick Rapha.
“All the teams will be looking for quality. T10 Cricket is a very explosive type of cricket and therefore, you want people who are very explosive but you want people who are smart to win, so this is what the teams will be looking for in their selection process,” Pascal said. “Additionally, the various management teams are aware of the capabilities and skill set of the various players and they will be going for what they feel will work for them in terms of what they are aiming to do.”
The DCA PRO said there would be various rounds and the players selected in round one will attract a higher stipend, which he says brings a different level of “professionalism” to the sport of cricket in Dominica.
The tournament kicks off on May 7 and will run until June 5, 2022. The venue will be the Windsor Park Sports Stadium. Matches are scheduled to take place at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm with a total of two or three games expected to be held in one day.
According to Pascal only fully vaccinated players, that is, those who’ve received their first and second doses of any of the vaccines by May 7, 2022, are eligible to participate in the tournament.
He disclosed that the main sponsor of the tournament is an Indian betting company, Dream11. The DCA hopes that locally based business enterprises will come on board not just to invest in this tournament, but to take full advantage of
advertising opportunities on a global scale.
Pascal stressed that all health and safety protocols will be strictly adhered to.
You know a supporter of UWP by the BS they post.Here is something positive coming up for cricket,and the JACKA is against it.Typical UWP,anything good for Dominica UWP against.Yes we care,they against.$300 for senior citizens,they against.Housing for the poor they against.Nep,they against.Children of Satan.
I guess Father from St. Lucia who is taking Dominica by storm resurrected cricket. Way Papa. More resurrection to come.
I am going for Barana Aute worriers with veteran Thomas Kentish as coach
My wife is from Dominica so we decided to visit Dominica 4 years ago. I told my Wife I am going to hold a batting glove and helmet to play with the local. My brother in law started laughing and stated Dominica cricket is dead. I was shocked to see I could not get a pick up game nowhere in the area. I was told if I want to play cricket I would have to drive up in the carib area but my wife refuse to take me. Dominica please don’t let your main sport die and as someone from Sri Lanka please take my advice. Invest in school cricket before it’s too late for your country. Dominica cricket association should not accept a tournament from Dream11 instead they should suggested investment in the Dominica cricket program. Invest in school cricket so the boys and girls can start at an early age.
That’s what cricket be come in Dominica right now ?What a shame no leagues just picking guys up by the road side like ripe mangoes, before we had several clubs .Just because the Indian sponsoring the competition that’s the time you putting teams together just for that, after that is business as usual looking forward to see the final eleven. Concern player.