By Samuel Peters
The Leeward Islands Cricket Board has named six Antiguans in its Senior Women’s Squad to face Jamaica in the CWI T20 Blaze in St. Vincent on Tuesday.
Competing under the new name “Stormers,” the team will be captained by veteran player Amanda Edwards, with West Indies bowling all-rounder Jahzara Claxton serving as vice-captain.
The squad features West Indies all-rounder Shawnisha Hector, whose stellar 2025 season earned her a recall to the regional side. Seasoned medium pacers Tonya Martin and Chey-Anne Moses are also included, along with hard-hitting all-rounder Kimberley Anthony.
In a surprising addition, national record holder in both shot-put and discus throw, Jess St. John, has been selected, replacing Saneldo Willett. The 30-year-old, who hasn’t represented Antigua and Barbuda in track and field since the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, is embracing the new challenge despite hinting she could return to athletics.
Speaking about her transition to cricket, St. John acknowledged the challenges facing local women’s cricket. “Antigua doesn’t really have much women’s cricket happening, and so this journey has been difficult. However, it took a lot of persistence, determination, and resilience, and that’s what got me here,” she explained.
She credited coach Keith Frederick for believing in her potential and dedicating countless hours to one-on-one training sessions. “I have to thank Keith Frederick for just believing in me, seeing my potential, seeing my capability, and just deciding, ‘Hey, we’re gonna go out there in the fields and just have our one-on-one sessions and work, work, work.’”
The journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Over the past year and a half, St. John endured an accident requiring surgery, but her determination never wavered.
“It has not been consistent. I did get in an accident, I had surgery, but besides all of that, we’ve just been putting in the work. I just knew that I wanted to get into this sport, and so I was determined—very, very determined. I’m just grateful to be a part of the Leeward Islands team,” she said.
The full squad: Amanda Edwards (Captain), Jahzara Claxton (Vice Captain), Reniece Boyce, Chey-Anne Moses, Kimberley Anthony, Tonya Martin, Qiana Joseph, Shawnisha Hector, Aaliyah Weekes, Katherine Bean-Rosario, Rozel Liburd, Kayzg Boyles, Davronique Maynard, and Jess St. John.
