ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Fifteen of the Caribbean’s brightest female cricket talents have departed for India, embarking on a transformative two-week development camp at the prestigious Chennai Super Kings Academy.
The initiative underscores Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) deepening commitment to player development and marks the expansion of its successful India program to now include women’s cricket.
The camp, running from August 13 to 30, brings together a blend of senior-capped players and emerging Under-19 stars, all working under the guidance of elite international coaching staff in one of the world’s premier cricketing environments.
A blend of experience and youth
The 15-member contingent, led by head coach Merissa Aguilleira, assistant coaches Ryan Hinds and Tremayne Smartt, and team manager Yasmine St Ange, represents both the present and future of West Indies women’s cricket.
The group includes established senior players such as Ashmini Munisar, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Mandy Mangru, and Nerissa Crafton. They are joined by promising U19 cricketers and recent graduates, including Naijanni Cumberbatch, Niya Latchman, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Steffie Soogrim, and Selena Ross.
Building skills for global conditions
Over the course of the program, players will face an intense schedule of practice matches, specialized training drills, and conditioning sessions aimed at sharpening their abilities against spin bowling—an essential skill for competing in subcontinental conditions.
The camp emphasizes not only technical proficiency, but also mental resilience, cultural adaptation, and physical preparation—all crucial attributes for thriving on the international stage. Players will work alongside the same high-caliber coaching staff who oversaw the men’s camp last December, led by Academy Director Sriram Krishnamurthy and his expert team.
A vision of gender parity in development
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, hailed the program as a pivotal step in the regional game’s evolution:
“Following the tremendous success of our male players’ training camp in December, we are proud to now extend this opportunity to our most promising female cricketers. The Super Kings Academy in Chennai offers a world-class training environment that allows our players to experience cricket in a different part of the world.”
He added: “This initiative will provide targeted technical development, especially in batting against spin, while also exposing the players to the mental and physical demands of elite training in subcontinental conditions. It forms a key part of our broader vision to build a deeper, more resilient player pool and ensure gender parity in developmental opportunities.”
Bascombe underscored that the program is not a one-off initiative, but part of a long-term strategy: “We are confident that the players selected will grow from this experience and help raise the standards across our entire women’s cricket pathway. It’s another important step in strengthening the foundation of West Indies cricket for the future.”
A long-term development blueprint
With CWI planning to alternate annually between male and female groups, this program represents a sustainable model for player development across genders. By combining exposure to overseas conditions with high-level coaching expertise, CWI is ensuring that the next generation of West Indies cricketers—men and women alike—are equipped to meet the demands of the modern game.
