Cricket Sierra Leone’s technical team has intensified preparations for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup Division II Qualifier with plans to reduce its current pool of players to 18 today, as part of the final selection process.
In preparation for the tournament, Cricket Sierra Leone invited 48 Under-19 female players to participate in the U-19 Women’s T20 League. The players were divided into four teams, which competed in a round-robin format designed to give the technical team a broad and fair platform to assess talent, performance, and readiness for international competition.
Speaking on the exercise, Cricket Sierra Leone’s General Manager, Crispin George, who is also a member of the technical team, disclosed that management has directed the coaches to announce the names of 18 shortlisted players. These players will continue intensive training ahead of the qualifier.
“The decision to cut down to 18 players is part of our structured preparation plan,” George said. “From this group, the technical team will eventually select the final 14 players who will represent Sierra Leone at the tournament.”
He explained that the shortlisted players will continue training and participate in a series of trial matches up to a few days before the team’s departure, at which point the final squad will be confirmed.
Team Manager Philip Sam noted that the organization of the youth league was aimed at providing equal opportunity to all eligible young female cricketers across the system. He emphasized that while not everyone can make the final squad, the process was intentionally inclusive and transparent.
“We made it clear to the players that it is impossible for all of them to travel to Kenya, as the ICC allows only 14 players per team,” Sam said. “However, this should not discourage anyone. Those who do not make the final list should see this as part of their development journey.”
He further encouraged players who remain within the Under-19 age bracket to stay focused, noting that there will be more opportunities in future tournaments. For those nearing the age limit, Sam urged them to work harder and aim for progression into the senior women’s team, following the path taken by several former U-19 players.
The ICC Women’s World Cup Division II Qualifier will feature five countries: host nation Kenya, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Malawi, and Mozambique. The top two teams at the end of the competition will earn promotion to the Division I league.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Kenya from 6th to 15th March 2026, marking a crucial opportunity for Sierra Leone’s young female cricketers to gain international exposure and advance on the global stage.
