The most valuable player from the 2025 Windward Islands Super 50 Men’s Cricket Tournament might not play in this year’s edition. Ackeem Auguste was left out of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association training squad for the defending champions, announced earlier this week.
Last year, West Indies player Ackeem Auguste led the tournament at home with 346 runs at an average of 115 and made five catches, the most in the competition. His teammate, fast bowler Keon Gaston, took 12 wickets, while Noelle Leo finished as the wicketkeeper with the most dismissals.
Gaston and Leo, who also came through the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre like Auguste, are back in the squad for this year’s series in Grenada from July 25 to August 5. Captain Kimani Melius is also returning.
Auguste will likely be away on regional duty during the tournament. Top-order batsman Johnel Eugene is also expected to miss out.
Dornan Edward, Jayden Elibox, Lee John, Mckenny Clarke, Shadrack Descarte, Shawnil Edward, Tarrique Edward, Theo Edward and Tyrel Chicot are all returning to the squad.
The squad also includes Bjorn Fanis, Bolton Sayers, Cody Fontenelle, Dane Edward, Isiah Jones, Jard Goodman, Jonathan Daniel, Kensley Paul, Khan Elcock, Liam Joseph, Nathaniel Joseph, Neil Poyotte, Qwaine Henry, Royce Paul, Joshua Cepal and Stephen Naitram.
SLNCA president Wayne Auguste is optimistic about the quality of players available. “Our objective is not simply to defend the Windward Islands Super 50 title, but also to continue strengthening the pathway from national cricket to franchise and international cricket,” he said.
“With the Windward Islands Volcanoes having finished at the bottom of the regional standings over the past two years, it is critical that all our players from the Windward Islands seize the opportunity and demonstrate that they are ready to make the step up to franchise level. Saint Lucia has consistently produced talented cricketers, and we want to see more of our players putting up their hands for higher honours.”
The selected players will participate in a series of training sessions, fitness assessments and trial matches, as the selectors and coaching staff work towards finalising the national team that will represent Saint Lucia at the regional tournament.
“The SLNCA is confident that the players selected for the trial squad possess the talent, commitment, and determination necessary to uphold the island’s proud cricketing tradition and mount a strong defence of the championship,” read a release from the organisation.
The selection panel looked at performances in the Prime Minister’s Independence T20 Tournament, the Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) T20 Competition, and the Premier League Two-Day tournament. They also considered player fitness, discipline and overall potential when choosing the trial squad.
“The trial period will commence with a fitness test scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at the Saint Lucia Sports Academy,” the SLNCA said. “This fitness test is used as a baseline that will be used to guide onward selection by the selectors. The first [red ball] practice match… will commence the following weekend at Mindoo Phillip Park.”
The final squad and management team will be announced after the selection process is complete.
TRAINING SQUAD:
* Bjorn Fanis
* Bolton Sayers
* Cody Fontenelle
* Dane Edward
* Dornan Edward
* Isiah Jones
* Jaden Elibox
* Jard Goodman
* Jonathan Daniel
* Kensley Paul
* Keon Gaston
* Khan Elcock
* Kimani Melius
* Lee John
* Liam Joseph
* McKenny Clarke
* Nathaniel Joseph
* Neil Poyotte
* Noel Leo
* Qwaine Henry
* Royce Paul
* Sacchin Joshua Cepal
* Shadrack Descarte
* Shawnil Edward
* Stephen Naitram
* Tarrique Edward
* Theo Edward
* Tyler Venner
* Tyrel Chicot
(TF)
