Hodge optimistic about Dominica’s chances for T20 Championship

West Indies under 19 cricketer, Dominican Off Spinner and batsman Kavem Hodge is optimistic about Dominica’s changes in the upcoming WINLOTT T20 cricket competition to be held here at the end of this month.

Hodge, fresh from a successful tour of India where he impressed with both ball and bat as a middle order batsman in a series against highly rated Australia, said that the prospect for the national side is good.

“There is a high level of expectation from the Dominican cricketing base and I have no doubt that we will meet these expectations,” Hodge told DNO after the team’s practice session Monday.

Dominica is the defending champion of the tournament and will be expected to face off against West Indies skipper Darren Sammy’s St Lucia side, a Grenada lineup that includes the talent of the hard hitting Andre Fletcher of  regional and Stanford 20/20 fame, and the watchful and patient West Indies opener Devon Smith.

Also in the fold is a very young St Vincent side, without the big names but with equally big talent.

“I have my part to play. Being that I am in the middle order it requires that I hold my nerves to stay on top of the game and keep things in our favor.” Hodge said. “Dominica is known as a good fielding unit and good fielding teams will win games for you.”

Liam Sebastian is expected to captain the Dominican team which will include other Dominican Windward Island players such as batsman Tyron Theophile and pacer Mervin Mathew.

Batsman Ezra Green who was part of the last year championship squad is away at training with the Combine Campus and Colleges in Barbados and is not expected to make a showing in national colors for the tournament.

All games will be held at the Windsor Park National Stadium.