Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana & St Lucia to host Women’s World T20
Dubai, Jan 23 (IANS) Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia were on Tuesday announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the venues for the ICC Womens World Twenty20, which will be staged from November 9 to 24.
The preliminary round matches will be held at the Guyana National Stadium and Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia, while Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda will stage the two semi-finals and the final, according to an ICC statement.
The three venues were selected by Cricket West Indies through a bidding process and have been ratified by the ICC.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We are keen to build on the momentum from this summer’s Women’s World Cup and I’m sure the players can rely on a warm welcome from the cricket fans in the West Indies and we’re all in for a great experience in the Caribbean.”
ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018 Tournament Director Jennifer Nero added: “We are excited to be hosting the very first stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20. This will add to the established passion for women’s cricket throughout our region.
“This is significant not just for the advancement of the sport of cricket but also for the potential for sharing with the world the many irresistible offerings of the beautiful countries of the West Indies.”
The hosts will be joined by Australia, world champions England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka who have all achieved qualification.
The remaining two spots will be taken by Bangladesh, Holland, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, Uganda or the United Arab Emirates, all of whom will compete in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in the Netherlands from July 3-14.
The November event in the Caribbean will be the first stand-alone ICC Women’s World Twenty20 after the past five events were played alongside the men’s event.
Windies captain Stafanie Taylor said: “We are keen on defending our title and since we know we will be at home, we want to use this as an opportunity to welcome the world to the region for top-class competitive Women’s cricket.”
