Trinidad and Tobago’s national deaf cricket team will get an opportunity to show off their talent when the TT Deaf Cricket Association (TTDCA) hosts the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) for two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty/20 matches in Trinidad from May 23-29.
The series will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean, with the ODIs being played at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva on May 23 and 25 and the T20s being held at the Queen’s Park Oval from May 27-29.
The limited-overs series are the result of constant communication with TTDCA president Tenille Smith, the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) and the IDCA which initially started before the emergence of Covid-19.
“We’re proud to lead this initiative. This isn’t just a cricket tournament. This represents a major step forward for deaf sports in the Caribbean,” Smith said, via a May 8 release.
“It provides an opportunity for visibility, talent development and international collaborations. We’re not just making history, we’re building a future.”
The Indian team is expected to arrive in Trinidad on Tuesday.
“The TTDCA is calling on the public, government stakeholders, and corporate TT to come out and support this historic moment—not just as spectators, but as champions of inclusion, equality, and progress. Let’s make some noise for those who play in silence, but (speak) through the game they love,” the release said.
TTDCA secretary Qushiba La Fleur, who also serves as the team’s sign language interpreter, says the eventual plan is the formation of a Deaf West Indies team.
“Yeah, there are plans to play other series. However, matches against Caribbean countries aren’t possible because this is the first deaf cricket team in the Caribbean.” La Fleur said.
“The goal, though, is that we could eventually develop our Deaf West Indies team so that they can play series and tournaments and matches throughout the Caribbean. Not just against other deaf teams, but others as well.”
Since becoming fully active in January this year, the team has been training assiduously under the guidance of head coach Anthony Dharson, batting and fielding coach Earnil Ryan and fitness coach Anthony Crichlow.
At present, they train four-five days a week and their training regimen has included treks up Lady Chancellor Road, practice sessions at the Queen’s Park Oval, fitness sessions at Las Cuevas Beach, as well as participation in the North Zone’s T20 cricket tournament.
TT deaf cricket squad to face India:
Devon Andre (captain), Shemuel Cadogan (vice-captain), Jimeel Boneo, Amir Boodoo, Christopher Goomansingh, Jason Jokhan, Nigel London, Joel Lord, Nicholas Mohammed, Orion Murray, Nyron Noel, Joel Piper, Rohan Subdhan, Allan Thomas, Valdano Tobias. Sportsmax
