Mali Richards in Stanford 20/20 pro team
Mali Richards, the son of West Indies cricket legend Viv Richards, has been named in a 17-man Antiguan squad hired by the Stanford 20/20 organisers.The squad, which is captained by Sylvester Joseph, is the first pro team established by the billionaire businessman as part of his grand plan to establish a professional 20/20 cricket league in the West Indies.
Made up of Antiguan nationals, the team is described as a test case to establish the format for setting up other such professional teams throughout the region.
Players on the team will be paid to play cricket fulltime. They will also be able to carry out West Indies, Leeward Island Cricket Association and Antigua National Team duties as part of the programme.
"These players are going to live, eat and breathe cricket. They are going to be paid for it. Their job will be to play cricket and they will make a living doing so. The West Indies cannot help but benefit from the caliber of cricket that we are going to see come out of this team and the league when it all comes together," Stanford said.
The 17-man squad was picked following a camp that was held in May. Another 13 will train with the team on a regular basis. The selection panel was comprised of the local selectors from the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association along with the Coach for the team, Eldine Baptiste and the Stanford 20/20 legends from Antigua – Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose.
The team will have a full time coach and personal trainer in Antiguans Eldine Baptiste and Evans "Jawakie" Jones, as well as a full time manager. Other specialists will be brought in when necessary to assist in the physical and mental development of the players.
FULL SQUAD:
Sylvester Joseph – captain
Justin Athanaze
Michael Challenger
Wilden Cornwall
Juari Edwards
Chad Hampson
Larry Joseph
Anthony Martin
Stephen Matthew
Branco Payne
Austin Richards Jr.
Mali Richards
Curtis Roberts
Carl Simon
Devon Thomas
Gavin Tonge
Gavin Williams
Coach – Eldine Baptiste
Trainer – Evans (Jawakie) Jones