Source Antigua Observer
Scotland’s George Munsey is hoping to replicate his 2022 performance in the Cool & Smooth T20 Explosion when this year’s competition bowls off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on April 13.
Munsey, who will join Jennings Tigers for a second straight year, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 206 runs in four innings last year.
“I think Dario and his team is going to put on something that is bigger and better than last year, so looking forward to trying to carry on from last year. We’ve also got all the Scotland guys here for a Camp beforehand, so really focusing on that. We’ve got 13 days here to get all the guys in the best shape we can get into and then eight of us are staying behind to, fortunately, play in the Cool & Smooth,” he said.
The player, who has scored 1,438 runs in 56 T20 International matches, arrived in Antigua on Sunday as part of a 15-member Scotland men’s delegation for a two-week camp ahead of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers slated for June in Zimbabwe.
Following the camp slated to end on April 12, eight members of the team, including Munsey, will compete for teams in the tournament. The selected players will be drafted ahead of the tournament.
Munsey welcomed the opportunity given to other Scottish players to compete in the tournament.
“I think it’s going to be awesome for the tournament, but I think it’s also good for our guys as well. I think it adds an extra level of pressure for the guys to come across and be sort of the overseas pros and it’s something that I really enjoy doing. I look forward to my teammates coming out here and hopefully putting on a bit of a showcase,” he said.
Known as the reverse-sweeping demon of the Associate world, Munsey also highlighted the benefits of a preparatory camp here.
“Back in Scotland at the moment, the weather is not the best so we’re indoors a lot of the time. We’ve got a busy year so to get outside with good weather, good facilities is going to be good for the team. We’ve got a new coach joining us so to get some bonding time with him and some more time together as a group is very important this time of year and with the qualifiers coming up as well,” the Scottish player said.
The tournament is set to climax on April 29 with a grand finale at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
A total of eight teams will compete for the EC$23,000 grand prize and the coveted Cool and Smooth T20 championship trophy won by the Liberta Blackhawks in 2022. Blackhawks, who have won the tournament five times, are set to defend their crown.
The other competing teams in this year’s tournament are Bethesda Golden Eagles, New Winthorpes Lions, Empire Nation, Bolans Blasters, Pigotts Crushers, Jennings Tigers, and All Saints Pythons.