Saint Lucia’s prowess in international cricket is now being championed by Zaida James. Standing on the shoulders of pioneers such as Eugena Gregg, the first Saint Lucian—male or female—to play cricket for the West Indies, the talented all-rounder has been making waves across the region and international circuit in recent years.
Growing up, James played age-group cricket with young males due to the lack of female-specific programmes on the island. This challenge has been a persistent issue among female athletes and advocates of women’s cricket, who have called for greater support and development of the women’s game in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
Despite these hurdles, Zaida credits this competitive environment for fostering her love and passion for the sport, shaping her skills through a steep learning curve. She remains grateful for the challenges she faced during this period, as they strengthened her resilience and accelerated her growth in the game.
Since making her international debut in 2023, James has produced moments of brilliance, including her best bowling figures of five (5) wickets for 45 runs against India in Vadodara at just 20 years (and 53 days) old, making her the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
With aspirations of becoming the world’s top-ranked ICC all-rounder, Zaida James is well on her way to achieving that goal. Her name is not merely one to be remembered during the celebration of her future exploits, but one to be celebrated as she continues to rise in the game.
For more on Zaida, watch her video in St Lucia Times‘ 2025 International Women’s Day magazine.
