The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground will host West Indies A and South Africa A for a five-match men’s series starting next month. The two teams will spend about a month in Saint Lucia, and entry to the games will be free, Cricket West Indies announced Thursday. The two A teams will meet from May 21 to June 11 in three 50-over matches and two four-day first-class matches at the Gros Islet venue.
DSCG has already played host to two matches in the just-concluded CWI Championship. Later, the venue will welcome the return of the Saint Lucia Kings, as they vie to defend their maiden Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title. Although Saint Lucia will not be hosting senior West Indies cricket in 2025, DSCG will be anything but idle. The A team tour is likely to be the highlight of the calendar, however, with a number of exciting future West Indies stars sure to be on show.
South Africa A is scheduled to arrive in Saint Lucia on May 16. With free admission, local pride on the line, and future stars in action, CWI CEO Chris Dehring says no fan will want to miss the series.
“The upcoming A series provides an excellent opportunity for our players and teams to prepare for international commitments,” he said. “The international schedule is getting busier by the season and therefore it is very important for the cricketers to keep themselves ready through good competitive cricket.”
South Africa A beat their West Indies counterparts 2-1 in a three-match first-class series at home in 2023. That hotly-contested tour involved players such as Shamar Joseph, Kevin Sinclair and Kavem Hodge, who have gone on to the senior team.
Reflecting on the opportunities ahead for aspiring international players, CWI director of cricket, Miles Bascombe said: “This is a critical part of the development of our players while creating a pathway towards full international selection. Following an encouraging first-class season, this series comes at the perfect time, especially with the new World Test Championship cycle only a couple of months away.”
This series also comes in advance of the highly anticipated “Full Ah Energy” West Indies Home Series, which bowls off in Barbados on June 25, with the West Indies facing Australia. Fans across the region can look forward to a full summer of top-tier international cricket, starting with the A team clash.
‘A’ SERIES MATCH SCHEDULE:
May 21: 1st 50-over match
May 24: 2nd 50-over match
May 27: 3rd 50-over match
June 1-4: 1st Four-Day ‘Test’
June 8-11: 2nd Four-Day ‘Test’
