Cricket West Indies has selected 22 of the Caribbean’s promising young female cricketers for a two-week High-Performance Camp in Antigua as preparations begin for the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The players moved directly into the camp after competing in the Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship, which concluded on August 15.

The camp began on August 17 and runs until August 29.

Among those selected are four young cricketers from Saint Kitts and Nevis — Zara Skerritt, Aaliyah Weekes, Leanga Warner and C’Quinya Dasent — who make up the entire Leeward Islands contingent.

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew congratulated the four players, describing their selection as a proud moment for the Federation and evidence of the talent among the country’s young people.

“This is a remarkable achievement for Zara, Aaliyah, Leanga and C’Quinya, and one in which the entire country should take tremendous pride,” Drew said.

“To have all four of the Leeward Islands selections coming from Saint Kitts speaks powerfully to the quality of our young cricketers and to what can be achieved when talent is matched with discipline, opportunity and the right support.”

The camp forms part of CWI’s structured approach to identifying, developing and preparing the next generation of West Indies women cricketers for international competition.

Selection was based on a combination of performances and technical assessments during the Rising Stars championship, age eligibility for the 2027 World Cup, tactical awareness, temperament, competitiveness, fitness and the overall balance and composition of the squad.

The programme will focus on technical, tactical, physical and mental development while giving the players greater exposure to the standards, intensity and expectations associated with international cricket.

CWI High-Performance Manager Dwain Gill said the immediate transition from the regional championship into the camp was deliberate.

“The Rising Stars Championship gave us a valuable opportunity to see these players compete, respond to pressure and demonstrate their potential in a regional environment,” Gill said.

“We did not want that assessment process to end with the tournament. Bringing the selected players directly into camp allows us to build on what we have seen, work more closely with them, and begin addressing the areas that will be critical to their progression.”

Gill said the camp represents an important first step towards building a group capable of competing at the 2027 World Cup, while also developing players who can contribute to West Indies women’s cricket beyond the Under-19 level.

The programme will also extend beyond the cricket field, with educational and development sessions designed to help prepare the players for the demands of high-performance sport and professional cricket.

The players will work with several members of CWI’s High-Performance coaching staff, led by Senior Women’s Assistant Coach Ryan Austin, alongside Shane Dowrich and West Indies Academy Head Coach Ramesh Subasinghe.