Massy unveiled as sponsor for inaugural 2022 Women’s CPL; Dottin named TKR captain

Massy Group confirmed its designation as title sponsor for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) at a press conference at Queen’s Park Oval today, as the regional T20 competition offered its first women’s cricket competition.

Massy WCPL 2022 will feature three teams – Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors – and a total of four matches, all of which will be played at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts. The tour runs from August 31 to September 4.

In contrast, the men’s CPL consists of six teams that will play a combined 34 matches in the 2022 season between August 30 and September 30.

CPL commercial director Jamie Stewart thanked the Massy Group for coming on board to provide the financial support needed for a regional women’s T20 tournament.

“When we decided to create the Women’s CPL, it was important to find a partner that would help build the profile and stature of the game and players across the region,” Stewart said, via a press statement, “with the ultimate goal making domestic faces. At Massy, ​​one of the largest companies in the region, we think WCPL has the perfect partner.

“Massy Group, through their stories spanning the eastern Caribbean, touches more people every day than any other company in the region. We thank the group and the stores and vehicle divisions for believing in the vision and look forward to working with them to give the region’s female stars the support and exposure they deserve.”

Current West Indies captain Hayley Matthews will captain the Barbados Royals in the inaugural competition, while teammates Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor will lead the Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors respectively.

Matthews and Dottin are both with the Barbados Women’s National Cricket Team at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games at the moment, while Taylor is originally from Jamaica.

At today’s press conference, a Trinidad and Tobago-born quartet of Anisa Mohammed, Caneisha Isaac, Reneice Boyce and Karishma Ramharack represented the three WCPL teams.

Mohammed, a veteran West Indies all-rounder and three-time Trinidad and Tobago women’s cricketer of the year, will line up for TKR this season alongside Isaac. Ramharack, another West Indian off-spinner, will represent GAW while Boyce will serve as a wicketkeeper/batsman for the Royals.

Massy Motors senior vice president Mark Rostant said his company, along with Massy Stores and partner Shell Lubricants, decided to support the WCPL in order to play a role in regional collaboration and give women athletes a “voice”.

Rostant also noted Massy’s credentials on the topic of “women’s empowerment.”

“As one of the largest employers in the region, a significant percentage of our workforce is female,” said Rostant. “For some companies like Massy Stores, which operates from 59 countries across the English-speaking Caribbean, the workforce is on average 70% female. This means that creating opportunities for the growth and development of women is an integral part of our business and natural to our purpose.

“With sponsorship support, which we hope will continue to grow for years to come, we believe the CPL will continue to develop this tournament to create opportunities for professional Caribbean athletes to showcase their talents on the world stage. “

Dottin’s commitment to the WCPL comes just days after she announced her departure from the West Indies team, via Twitter.

“Cricket has always been a passion of mine – however, when the fire burns, one must take time to reassess their commitment,” Dottin said in her announcement. “There have been many obstacles during my cricket career that I have had to overcome; however, the current climate and team environment have not been conducive to my ability to flourish and rekindle my passion.

“It is with great sadness, but no regrets, that I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the team culture and team environment as it has undermined my ability to perform brilliantly.”

Dottin was not at the Oval to field questions on the subject and Mohammed, who said she had no such difficulty with the environment around the West Indies team, stressed she was unable to clarify her former teammate’s statement.

However, one thing was certain. Dottin will be missed.

“It’s a big loss for West Indies cricket,” Mohammed said. “She is there in all aspects of the game: batting, bowling and we see it in the field as well.

“The energy Deandra brings is something we will miss in the West Indies women’s team. But we wish him all the best.”

Muhammad and the CPL themselves will be hoping that, in this case, West Indies’ loss will be TKR’s gain.

“I want to thank these incredible Caribbean athletes who rose to the challenge of the first women’s CPL,” said Rostant. “I can’t wait to see you do your best for the world stage—and let’s create an unforgettable, inaugural Massy Women’s CPL together.”