The Trinbago Knight Riders franchise of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) has announced a significant boost to their squad for the upcoming 2024 Massy Women’s CPL. Indian batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues and experienced pacer Shikha Pandey have been signed by the Knight Riders, adding firepower to their batting and bowling lineups.
Shikha Pandey and Jemimah Rodrigues, who previously played together for Delhi Capitals in the WPL, have now signed up to play for Trinbago Knight Riders in the upcoming tournament scheduled in Trinidad from August 21 to 29. All seven matches of the tournament will be hosted at the prestigious Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Both Pandey and Rodrigues are slated to reunite with their Delhi Capitals skipper Meg Lanning and all-rounder Jess Jonassen as teammates, representing Trinbago Knight Riders.
Rodrigues, a rising star in Indian cricket, is known for her elegant stroke play and ability to score quickly. She has already established herself on the international stage, having played in 93 T20I matches and scoring a total of 1997 runs with a high score of 76. Additionally, in the WPL, she has impressed in her 18 matches, scoring 361 runs.
The right-arm medium pacer, featuring in 62 T20I matches and claiming 43 wickets with the best figures of 3/14. She has also scored a total of 208 runs. In the WPL, she has participated in 18 matches, scoring 62 runs, and claiming 19 wickets.
The Knight Riders have also confirmed the retention of five key players from their 2023 squad. Captain Deandra Dottin, the explosive all-rounder, will lead the charge once again. She will be ably supported by the likes of Shamila Connell (fast bowler), Kycia Knight (wicket-keeper batter), Zaida James (spinner), and Samara Ramnath (batter). With six spots remaining in their squad, the Trinbago Knight Riders will look to further strengthen their team at the upcoming WCPL draft scheduled for July.
This strategic move by the Trinbago Knight Riders signifies their intent to challenge for the championship title in the 2024 Massy Women’s CPL. The combination of young talent and experienced players, along with a strong core group, has the potential to create a formidable force in the tournament. Cricket fans will be eagerly waiting to see how this revamped Knight Riders squad fares on the field.
Meg Lanning, the Australian skipper, brings a wealth of experience to the Trinbago Knight Riders. Beyond her impressive batting record in T20I cricket, where she has amassed 3405 runs with a top score of 133 and also picked up 4 wickets, Lanning’s leadership qualities and tactical insights are invaluable. She has demonstrated her ability to lead teams to success, having led Delhi to back-to-back finals in the WPL where they ended up as runners-up in both seasons. Lanning has also showcased her batting ability in domestic leagues, playing 16 WPL matches and scoring a total of 676 runs. Additionally, she has been a member of seven successful world championship campaigns, winning two Women’s Cricket World Cup and five ICC Women’s World Twenty20 titles, highlighting her unmatched experience and ability to perform consistently at the highest level. As the Knight Riders gear up for the upcoming tournament, Lanning’s presence promises to be a decisive factor, both on the field and in guiding the team through strategic challenges.
Jess Jonassen has an impressive record in T20I cricket, having played 105 matches and taken 96 wickets, including a memorable five-wicket haul against India. She has also contributed with the bat, scoring a total of 438 runs. In the WPL, Jonassen has participated in 16 matches, where she has claimed 20 wickets and scored 145 runs. Her all-round abilities, marked by her skillful bowling and valuable contributions with the bat, make her a key player for any team, including the Trinbago Knight Riders in their upcoming campaign.
The current Trinbago Knight Riders squad ahead of the draft includes:
DEANDRA DOTTIN
MEG LANNING
JESS JONASSEN
JEMIMAH RODRIGUES
SHIKHA PANDEY
KYCIA KNIGHT
SHAMILA CONNELL
ZAIDA JAMES
SAMARA RAMNATH
