Now in its very first year of production since
having been launched this past August 2021, WI
Wickets magazine’s mission has always been to
make a lasting contribution to the further development and
promotion of West Indies cricket. Towards that end, Publisher
Tony McWatt, has now decided to expand the magazine’s
operations further through the development of annual WI
Wickets Canadian All Stars Cricket Tours to Caribbean
countries such as Antigua, Barbados, and Jamaica.
The concept of the All Stars Tours has arisen from two
inspirational sources. The first being McWatt’s desire to
honour the memory of now deceased Trinidadian-born
Tony Harford, who along with his fellow countryman
Bruce Ananensen had created and managed All Star Sports
Promotions as a corporate entity which for decades organized
very successful and memorable sporting tours for teams to
and from the Caribbean. The second is the Guyana-born now
Canadian resident McWatt’s intention to now finally fulfill
the lifelong ambition he’s always had of making a significant
contribution to the further development of Caribbean cricket
tourism.
The WI Wickets Canadian All Stars Cricket Tours will be
conducted mainly during two time periods. The October –
November Canadian Domestic cricket post Season will be
the first. The January – April Pre Season will be the second.
The Tours will involve visits by 30-40 persons touring groups comprised
of 15 players, three to five administrative personnel and accompanying
family and friends of the selected cricketers. The tours will be of ten days
duration allowing for six matches, three each of the 50 Over and T20
formats, to be played against local teams. The cricketers on tour will also
be provided with exposure to the resident local legends, great former
West Indies players including Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir
Ritchie Richardson, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Garfield Sobers, Wes Hall,
Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes, Jeffrey Dujon, Courtney Walsh and Chris
Gayle.
The Inaugural WI Wickets Canadian All Stars Cricket Tours is scheduled
for Antigua this coming November. A second tour is also being planned for
Barbados next March-April. As part of the development plans for the tours
WI Wickets Publisher Tony McWatt was in Antigua to attend that island’s
hosting of the ICC 2022 U19 World Cup Plate Playoffs, Semi-finals and
Final. McWatt’s two-week stay was with full courtesy and compliments
of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Board. He is also scheduled to visit
Barbados this coming March, under Barbados Tourism’s auspices, to cover
the West Indies – England 2nd Test, and to engage in discussions with local
industry officials about the plans for next year’s tour.
Pack your bags and make your plans Oh Ye young Canadian cricketers,
the Caribbean is a calling!
WI WICKETS ALL-STARS CARIBBEAN CRICKET TOURS IN THE MAKING!
