A hearty congratulations to the eight SCC DIVAS HK players that have just been selected for the first-ever Philippines Women's National side! They will play four T20Is on Dec 21st and 22nd against Indonesia!
We... https://t.co/CzviKw5kCt
— Cricket Hong Kong (@CricketHK) December 16, 2019
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3042449/eight-hong-kong-domestic-helpers-picked-first-ever-philippines Hong Kong
Eight Hong Kong domestic helpers picked for first-ever Philippines women’s T20 cricket squad
- Pioneer SCC Divas player Josie Arimas and seven teammates are part of a 17-strong Philippines squad to face Indonesia in four matches
- After the series, they will be national players and no longer eligible for the SCC Divas team that gave them their start in cricket
The eight Divas players who have been selected to represent the Philippines. Photos: Handout
Eight players from Hong Kong’s all-domestic helper SCC Divas cricket team have been selected to represent the first-ever Philippines women’s squad in a Twenty 20 series against Indonesia – a dream come true for pioneer Josie Arimas, who helped create the team four years ago.
Having given up their Sundays off to win two Hong Kong titles in the women’s Development League, the eight players, along with one reserve, will make an even bigger sacrifice once they have played Indonesia because they will no longer be eligible to turn out for the team that gave them their start in cricket.
“When we go back to Hong Kong, we are already national players and we are not allowed to play in the Development League,” said Arimas. “Even though nine of us cannot play, we still have 14 players left in the squad.”
Arimas is joined by Divas teammates Jennifer Alumbro, Cherry Octivano, Catherine Bagaoisin, Christine Joy Lovino, Jonna Eguid, Romela Osabel and Ma Luz Mandia in the 17-strong Filipino squad for four T20 matches against Indonesia on December 21 and 22 in Cavite.
Another Divas player, Rosaly Pagarigan, is named as a reserve. The matches will take place at the Friendship Oval of Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite in Dasmarinas City.
“I am actually speechless,” said a delighted Arimas. “I know we are the underdogs [against Indonesia]. We are first-timers while they are ranked 22 in T20 but we will do our best and win or lose, we will enjoy playing cricket.”
The SCC Divas team who play in the Hong Kong women’s Development League.
Arimas switched from baseball to cricket in 2015 and then made it her ambition to promote her new sport to her fellow domestic helpers. She also had a hand in the Philippines Cricket Association (PCA) forming its first women’s team.
In February 2018, she approached PCA manager Faisal Khan about the prospect of a women’s team. After another visit to Manila in August, they agreed to move ahead with a women’s T20 team and organised December’s tournament.
“Faisal Khan started to invite different countries but because it’s Christmas time, many of them were busy but Indonesia said yes,” said Arimas.
Rosie Arimas (right) with PCA chief Faisal Khan. Photo: Handout
Arimas said the players are determined to perform well against Indonesia as a tribute to SCC Divas manager Animesh Kulkarni, who played an integral role in helping the team play in the Development League.
According to Arimas, Kulkarni has suffered a stroke and his wife is also unwell.
“Animesh told me that as long as he is alive and he is still in Hong Kong, he won’t stop helping the Divas team,” said Arimas. “So we really want to do this for him.”
Last month, the PCA presented Kulkarni an award in recognition of his support towards the development of Philippine women’s cricket.
Arimas said the PCA had written to the International Cricket Council about the Philippines’ new women’s team and the world governing body has approved the move.
The Hong Kong-based players will only be able to spend a few days in the Philippines before returning to the city and to their employers.