Winning back-to-back WCPLs was a great feeling: Aaliyah Alleyne

Barbados Royals successfully defended the throne as they emerged winners of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024 back in August. Aaliyah Alleyne was the star of the show in what turned out to be just another day at the office for the Royals against Trinbago Knight Riders. 

The 29-year-old seam bowling allrounder’s impressive figures of 4/21 earned her the Player of the Match award, but there’s more to Alleyne’s story than just this game. She actually grew up playing both football and cricket, with the former being her first love when it comes to sports. However, she ended up pursuing cricket over football as a career option and made her international debut in 2019. 

Alleyne is part of the West Indies side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, ahead of the ninth edition of the tournament, she spoke to Women’s CricZone where she talked about the beginning of her journey, watching West Indies lift the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016, cricketing idols, winning the WCPL and more.

Q: Can you talk about the beginning of your cricketing career and how it all began?

It started with just playing around with my cousins in the neighborhood. And then from there I played in the primary level. I played a bit in the secondary level, but then I took a break to play football and to just concentrate on football, and then out of the blue, one of my friends called me and asked me if I would come on trial for the U-19 team, and I said, “Why not?” I think from there, I made it to the U-19 Barbados side and then Barbados senior side. And from there I just took off.

Q: What made you choose cricket over football as your career?

Oh, no, I actually picked football over cricket. Football was always my first love. I like both sports as I grew up playing both sports in a neighborhood with my family and friends. But I think this was just a path that I had to go because I turned out to be going to cricket. So I don't regret anything about it. I think if I had to do it the same way, I think I would do it again because I'm still here.

Q: You have played in two T20 World Cup editions - 2020 and 2023. How was your experience?

Finding out I got selected for the 2020 T20 World Cup was a surprise. I was just willing to play and it's always an honor to represent the region. And when I got that chance, I just wanted to go there and play my best. It was a learning experience, but I learned a lot from some of the senior players, some who are still playing and some who have retired. My second edition was more so, I didn't go all the way as well, but I think it takes a lot more of learning. I think, for me, as an individual and as a team, I think we are looking to go one step to the semi finals and another step to the finals. 

Q: West Indies won the T20 World Cup in 2016. Do you have any memories of watching them lift the trophy?

Yeah, I remember I was in England playing cricket and me and my family had a watch party. And I remember profoundly watching Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor having that partnership. And with her being so young and also from my country, I was so proud to see the ladies actually winning the T20 World Cup being the underdogs. It was a good feeling for the Caribbean. And I think it's something that I would like to experience at least once in my lifetime. I think that's the pinnacle of anyone's career.

Q: Speaking of memories, do you remember anything from the T20 World Cup 2018 which was hosted by the West Indies?

Yeah. I think the girls played well right through to the semi-finals. I think it was unfortunate that we got knocked out in the semi-finals, but I think playing at home is always something special. I think the Caribbean rally around the girls is so good. I think it's something that I think for us as a team, we just have to look at some of the things that we haven't, the small moments that help us cross the lane.

Q: Who were your cricketing idols while growing up?

When I was growing up, I was more focused on the men’s side of the game. But as I got involved in cricket a little bit more, I think Ellyse Perry and Suzie Bates were two of my favorites coming up.

Q: Being a pace bowling allrounder, how difficult is it as an art and which player are you most inspired by?

Yeah, I think fitness is key when you’re looking to be an allrounder because you're not only performing one duty but you're doing two. I think as I go back to Ellyse Perry, I think she is someone that I look up to, especially because she played football as well. So I saw some similarities and being an allrounder, I know it is so much harder but it is equal opportunity. I think sometimes when you haven't performed with the bat or with the ball, you still have another chance to go there and do something for the team, be with the ball or with the bat. I still have the feeling that I love it at the moment and I think it's something that I continue to love.

Q: West Indies have a lot of star players in the squad and Deandra Dottin has returned as well. What do you think of the trio of her, Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor?

I think Deandra being the first female to score 100 in both T20Is and ODIs  is something pretty special. And then you have someone like Stafanie Taylor and you have Hayley Matthews. I think with them, if we can have everyone gelling up around them and we play as a team, not only the playing XI, but also the four substitutes, I think we can go far. 

Q: What are your thoughts on the emerging youngsters and their impact on the team?

Yeah, we have a few coming in, and they are always willing to learn. I think for us, it's just grabbing every opportunity and every game is a learning opportunity as well. And I think it's just to be safe for them and just to be staying focused and always grabbing each opportunity that is their life. And I think for us, it's good that we have other youngsters coming through. We have Zaida James who's in her second edition and then we have the young Ashmini Muniser making her debut. So it's good for our cricket.

Q: You recently won the WCPL with Barbados Royals and were awarded the Player of the Match in the final. How was the feeling while lifting the trophy?

Winning back-to-back titles is a special feeling. I think for us, we went over there, we had a plan to actually retain our rotator and not only saying it but putting through our words, it was a great feeling and then I had a lot of fun. It was personally a good outing for myself and I think it's something that I could be on going into the T20 World Cup, especially with my confidence.

Q: What next for Aaliyah Alleyne? What are your future goals and aspirations?

I think one of them is here out of work. I think one of those main goals is actually winning the World Cup. Hopefully this year will be easier and I think for me it’s also to play a little longer. I'm turning 30 and I think it will be good to still play a couple more years as long as my body allows me to. I've been working very hard. I've been working a lot on my fitness, so who knows? Anything is possible as long as I keep playing cricket.