THE 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are only a matter of days away, and Cricket is making its triumphant return to the schedule at these Games. In preparation, we will be taking a look at each of the competing nations to see how they stack up.

Today we are taking a look at Barbados. If anyone competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is the biggest unknown factor, it might just be the Barbadian cricket team. They are also the most unique out of all the competitors at this year’s Games.

Normally the Caribbean countries compete as the West Indies when it comes to cricket, which was never going to work come a competition like the Commonwealth Games. The governing body in the West Indies decided that it would be Barbados who would represent them at the Commonwealth Games.

Unfortunately, it means the deck is really stacked against the Barbados in terms of being able to have a decent result at the games.

Not having the wider Caribbean to choose from does limit the Barbadians in who they can actually pick in their squad as not all the stars of the West Indies are actually also Barbadians.

The biggest casualty of this is Stefanie Taylor, who is in fact from Jamaica. The Barbadians could really do with her big hitting prowess.

None the less, they do have Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews, who are both absolute superstars and will need to be on fire for Barbados to have any hope of a decent finish.

When they get on a roll, both Matthews and Dottin can make life hard for any opposition, but they are only two players and if the rest of the line up fail with the bat around them, it does not matter how good Matthews and Dottin do.

Alongside Matthews and Dottin there are a few more lesser known faces to keep an eye on.

Alisa Scantlebury is a 19 year-old wicketkeeper who is studying in England and has some experience in English conditions, while Shanika Bruce has been some experience at A level for the West Indies, most notably against Pakistan of all nations last year.

Regardless of all that, even if Barbados could have competed as the West Indies it was always going to be a monumental task to try and get past the group stage, especially when you consider they have both of the reigning T20 World Cup finalists in their group.

Barbadian Squad

Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shai Carrington, Shaunte Carrington, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Tiffany Thorpe, Aaliyah Williams

Barbados’ Schedule

Friday 29 July – Pakistan
Sunday 31 July – Australia
Wednesday 3 August – India