The Christopher Barnwell-led Guyana team, which has the dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul as the vice captain, will open its quest for honours in this year’s NAGICO Super50 limited overs tournament against Ireland in a Zone A encounter the Caribbean Media Corporation announced yesterday.
The other two teams in Zone A are Jamaica and defending One Day champions the Windward Islands which means that the locals must not only defeat Ireland but one of these two teams as well if they are to make it to the next round.
According to the CMC Report, defending champions Windward Islands will clash with Jamaica in the first match on the opening day of the limited overs tournament on January 30 at Queen’s Park Oval.
An action-packed tournament is anticipated featuring 15 games in just over two weeks including matches at the picturesque Shaw Park in Tobago.
The Final will also be played at the Oval on February 15 with February 16 as the reserve rain day.
“As we start the new year the atmosphere is certainly building as we prepare for what will be a superb NAGICO Super50 2014 Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Michael Muirhead, CEO of the WICB.
“Most of the matches will be played at Queen’s Park Oval, which is one of the leading cricketing venues in the world. We are also delighted that the fans in Tobago will get a golden opportunity to see their favourite players in action as well.”
The WICB yesterday unveiled the fixtures for the event which will be contested by eight teams in two zones. Zone A will include the champs Windward Islands, Jamaica, Guyana and Ireland while Zone B will include hosts Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados,Leeward Islands and Combined Campuses & Colleges – last year’s losing finalists.
Shaw Park will host two matches in Zone B: the marquee contest between arch-rivals Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados on Thursday, February 6; and CCC vs Leewards a day earlier.
The NAGICO Super50 Champions 2014 will be televised live throughout the Caribbean on ESPN.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
January
Thursday, 30th: Windwards vs Jamaica at Queen’s Park Oval
Friday, 31st: Guyana vs Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval
February
Saturday, 1st: CCC vs T&T at Queen’s Park Oval
Sunday, 2nd: Barbados vs Leewards at Queen’s Park Oval
Monday, 3rd: Windwards vs Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval
Tuesday, 4: Jamaica vs Guyana at Queen’s Park Oval
Wednesday, 5th: CCC vs Leewards at Shaw Park
Thursday, 6th: T&T vs Barbados at Shaw Park
Friday, 7th: Windwards vs Guyana at Queen’s Park Oval
Saturday, 8th: Jamaica vs Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval
Sunday, 9th: CCC vs Barbados at Queen’s Park Oval
Monday, 10th: T&T vs Leewards at Queen’s Park Oval
Wednesday, 12th: Semi-final 1 – Zone A winner vs Zone B second at Queen’s Park Oval
Thursday, 13th: Semi-final 2 – Zone B winner vs Zone A second at Queen’s Park Oval
Saturday 15th: FINAL – Winner of Semi-final 1 vs Winner of Semi-final 2 at Queen’s Park Oval