Stafanie Taylor, Karishma Ramharack, and Shabnim Ismail headline Guyana Amazon Warriors retentions

The Guyana Amazon Warriors are gearing up for an exciting campaign in the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). With matches scheduled at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Cricket Academy from August 21 to 29, the stage is set for a thrilling showcase of cricketing talent and intense competition.

Led by Stafanie Taylor, the Warriors will be looking to go one step further this year after finishing runners-up in the 2023 edition, capitalizing on her leadership and all-round skills. Joining Taylor are key retained players including Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, and Shakera Selman, ensuring a solid core of experienced players.

Shabnim Ismail proved her grit for the Guyana Amazon Warriors during the final against the Barbados Royals, despite being on the losing side, by claiming an impressive 4 wickets. Her T20I career record speaks volumes, having played 113 matches and taken 123 wickets with a best of 5/12. Beyond her bowling ability, Ismail has also contributed 186 runs. Her ability to perform under pressure makes her a crucial asset for the Warriors.

The Warriors have strategically bolstered their batting lineup with the addition of Erin Burns, the Australian batter who enjoyed a successful campaign with the Barbados Royals in 2023. Burns showcased her all-round skills during the tournament, claiming two Player of the Match awards in the group stage. In one standout performance, she impressed with figures of 3/19, against Trinbago Knight Riders. Equally formidable with the bat, Burns hammered an unbeaten 53 runs in another against Guyana Amazon Warriors. Her addition promises to boost the Warriors’ depth and strengthen their batting order as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the league.

In addition to Erin Burns, the Amazon Warriors have strengthened their squad with the acquisition of South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon. Tryon gained importance for her impactful performances in the 2022 WCPL, where she finished third on the list of highest run-scorers with 64 runs. Her versatility is evident in T20I cricket, having played 98 matches and accumulated a total of 1136 runs. With the ball, Tryon has claimed 35 wickets, with best figures of 4/15. Her proven track record in both batting and bowling makes her a valuable asset to the Warriors.

The Warriors have further fortified their squad with the addition of England’s Lauren Winfield-Hill, who serves as a wicketkeeper-batter. Winfield-Hill has experience in T20I cricket, having played 44 matches and accumulated a total of 596 runs. Her highest score of 74 runs, achieved against South Africa. With her skill behind the stumps and her ability to contribute significantly with the bat, Winfield-Hill brings a valuable skill set to the Warriors.

Looking ahead, the team now looks to complete their squad with the upcoming WCPL draft in July, where they will select six more players to complement their retained and newly signed talents. The final spot, an overseas player, will be finalized just before the tournament commences. As the countdown to the tournament begins, all eyes will be on the Guyana Amazon Warriors as they aim to clinch the WCPL title and establish their dominance in Caribbean women’s cricket once again.