As the cricketing world turns its attention to the Caribbean for the CWI 2025 Women’s T20 Blaze, all eyes will be on Zaida James, the newly appointed captain of the Windward Islands Women’s team. The tournament, set to run from May 1–11 at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent, represents the pinnacle of women’s domestic T20 cricket in the region.
Zaida James, a proud daughter of Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, is no stranger to breaking barriers and blazing trails. Despite coming from an area not widely known for cricket participation, Zaida has carved a stellar path in the sport. Her remarkable rise has seen her represent the Saint Lucia senior team, the Windward Islands at both Under-19 and senior levels, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the West Indies A team.
Now, as she prepares to lead her squad into one of the Caribbean’s premier cricket tournaments, she carries with her not just experience and ambition, but also a vision to inspire. Zaida has often spoken about wanting to motivate young boys and girls in her community to take up cricket — to see themselves in her journey and believe in their own.
In a sport defined by clutch performances and unwavering composure, Zaida models her aspirations on some of the game’s greats. She admires Ben Stokes for his ability to thrive under pressure and hopes to mirror the consistency of Ellyse Perry, especially in adapting to any match situation as a true all-rounder.
For Zaida, one unforgettable moment remains February 2, 2020 — the day she struck her first half-century for Saint Lucia against Grenada at the iconic Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. It was a personal milestone that hinted at the greater things to come.
This year’s T20 Blaze will feature six regional teams: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and hosts Windward Islands. With 16 exciting matches played in a round-robin format, the top two teams will battle in the final on May 11. Matches will be streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel, with scores available via the official match centre.
Zaida will lead a talented Windward Islands squad including seasoned names like Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, and Earnisha Fontaine, alongside promising young talent. Their opening match is set for May 1 at 7:00 p.m. AST against Jamaica — a fixture that promises sparks from the very first ball.
As she takes on this leadership role, we extend hearty congratulations to Zaida James. Her journey continues to inspire, and her passion for the game and her people shines through every time she steps onto the field. Saint Lucia, the Windward Islands, and all of West Indies cricket should be proud.
Well done, Captain Zaida — lead with courage, play with heart, and know that your island stands with you!