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| Twenty20 Blaze | |
|---|---|
| Name | Twenty20 Blaze |
| Administrator | Cricket West Indies |
| Cricket format | Twenty20 cricket |
| First | 2012 |
| Last | 2024 |
| Tournament format | Regional round-robin and knockout |
| Participants | 6–10 |
Twenty20 Blaze The Twenty20 Blaze is a women's regional Twenty20 cricket competition administered by Cricket West Indies for teams representing Caribbean territories. Established to parallel men's regional tournaments and to develop players for West Indies women's cricket team, the Blaze has functioned alongside events such as the Women's Super50 Cup and regional age-group competitions like the Caribbean Under-19 Championship. It has provided pathways to international fixtures including bilateral tours against Australia women's cricket team, England women's cricket team, and India women's cricket team.
The Blaze was launched following initiatives by Cricket West Indies and stakeholders including the West Indies Players Association and regional boards such as the Jamaica Cricket Association and Barbados Cricket Association. Early editions involved teams from Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Windward Islands, and Leeward Islands, echoing structures used in the Regional Four Day Competition and Regional Super50. Tournament developments paralleled reforms after the 2016 ICC Women's World Twenty20 and the professionalisation steps tied to central contracts for players like those negotiated by Cricket West Indies and national boards. Administrative changes in the 2010s were influenced by fixtures against touring sides including Sri Lanka women's cricket team and development programs with partners such as the Commonwealth of Nations sports initiatives.
Matches conform to Twenty20 playing conditions as used in ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers and domestic leagues like the Women's Big Bash League and The Hundred in England. The Blaze uses a round-robin followed by finals, mirroring formats seen in the Caribbean Premier League and the Regional Super50. Playing regulations reference the Marylebone Cricket Club code and align with International Cricket Council guidelines for fielding restrictions, powerplays, and player substitution policies similar to those trialed in tournaments like the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. Points systems, net run rate tie-breakers, and finals protocols have evolved after consultations with entities including the West Indies Cricket Board and national selectors from Windward Islands Cricket Board.
Core teams historically include Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Leeward Islands, and Windward Islands. Occasional composite or developmental squads have featured players from the Cayman Islands and Montserrat under invitation, reflecting collaborations with the ICC Americas region. Participants have been drawn from domestic clubs such as Empire Cricket Club and Pickwick Cricket Club in Barbados and Trinidad's Queen's Park Cricket Club. Selection panels have included coaches who worked with the West Indies women's cricket team and talent scouts from franchises like Trinbago Knight Riders and administrators from the Cricket West Indies women's development unit.
Champions have included multiple titles for Jamaica and Barbados across seasons, with standalone finals contested at venues such as the Kensington Oval, Providence Stadium, and Sabina Park. Winning squads have propelled players into tours against New Zealand women's cricket team and appearances in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The Blaze seasons have occasionally been impacted by scheduling adjustments tied to regional events like the Caribbean Festival of Sport and international calendars set by the International Cricket Council.
Individual and team records in the Blaze mirror notable statistics tracked in competitions like the Women's Big Bash League and England Women's County Championship. Records include highest team totals at grounds like Grenada National Stadium, highest individual scores by batters who later represented West Indies women's cricket team, and best bowling figures comparable to those seen in Women's Caribbean Premier League fixtures. Statistical leaders have been highlighted in annual reports produced by Cricket West Indies and cricket data services used by entities such as ESPNcricinfo and CricketArchive.
Prominent alumni include internationals who represented West Indies women's cricket team in tournaments like the ICC Women's World Cup and received accolades from bodies such as the West Indies Players Association. Players have gone on to play in franchise competitions including the WBBL and influence selections for squads on tours to England, Australia, and India. Annual awards presented to standout performers have paralleled honors in leagues like the Women's Hundred and included recognitions from regional broadcasters and sponsors.
Broadcast and streaming arrangements have involved partnerships with regional outlets like CNC3 Television, international platforms akin to those carrying ICC events, and digital services used by broadcasters such as ESPN. The Blaze has contributed to talent pipelines feeding the West Indies women's cricket team and has been cited in development plans by Cricket West Indies and sports ministries of member territories. Its influence intersects with broader Caribbean sporting events such as the Caribbean Games and youth development programs supported by entities like the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Category:Women's cricket in the West Indies Category:Cricket competitions in the Caribbean