Host Guyana opened its campaign in the West Indies Cricket Board WICB Regional women’s T20 Tournament with a commanding win over new comers Leeward Islands on Thursday night at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. Leewards went down by 55 runs in the final game of the day.
Guyana’s victory was spearheaded by a brilliant half century from West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle, who finished unbeaten on 64 from 56 balls with seven fours. Campbelle was solid from the start of her innings getting three runs off the second ball she faced. She was swift between the wicket, running ones, twos and at times threes to go along with seven forceful boundaries. The right handed batter brought up her fifty off 44 balls and had already accounted for four boundaries.
She collaborated with opener Melanie Henry 34 for a solid second wicket stance of 111 before the former was caught off the bowling of Shawneisha Hector. Hector was the lone wicket taker for Leewards with two wickets as she also dismissed Latoya Smith with the score on nine.
Guyana innings ended on 138-2 when their overs expired and they returned to limit the visitors to 83-9 To win by 55 runs in a lopsided affair. Leewards never recovered from a horrible start of 17-4 and was restricted to 83-9 from 20 overs. Erva Giddings was the pick of the Guyanese bowlers with 4-15. The host bowled and fielded well. The bowling was on spot as seven of the batters were bowled.
Jennison Richards 18, Terez Parker 14, Rozel Liburd 13 not out and Saneldo Willett 11 were the only players to reach double figures in a poor batting display.
When Guyana was in the field skipper Tremane Smartt suffered a minor injury scarce and had to leave the field for treatment. She later returned and marshaled her troops over the line.
Earlier, in the day the tournament opened with Barbados beating Trinidad and Tobago quite easily by 32 runs in the cool of the morning. Barbados were sent in by newly crowned Super 50 champions and they got to 106/8 from their 20 overs. West Indies player Hayley Matthews hit the top score of 27 from 20 balls with five fours and was supported by opening partner Kycia Knight with 23 from 24 balls.
The Trinidad and Tobago bowlers were very much on target and were supported by the fielders in restricting the girls in blue to the gettable total. Right arm pacer Lee Ann Kirby (19/2) and off spinner Anisa Mohammed (21/21) were the main wicket takers while Shenelle Lord (15/1) and Karishma Ramharack (16/1) were economical in their spell.
The run chase never got going and halfway through the 18th over the match was over with Trinidad and Tobago all out for 74 falling short by 32 runs. Three batters got to double figures with Reniece Boyce getting to 14, Mohammed 13 and Rachael Vincent 13 not out. Matthews capped a wonderful day by picking up 17/4 and Keila Elliott had 24/2.
The second match of the day was a one-sided affair with defending champions Jamaica whipping the Windward Islands by 56 runs. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor blasted 62 (48b; 6×4; 2×6) and with contributions from Chedean Nation 29 not out and Natasha McLean 21 saw the Jamaicans posting 148/3 from their 20 overs. Windwards Captain Afy Fletcher (26/1) and Quiana Joseph (29/1) had one wicket each. In reply, the Windwards who were playing their first game since in Guyana got to 92/5 when they ran out of overs. Medium pacer Roshana Outar had two wickets while Taylor, Chinelle Henry and Vanessa Watts shared the other wickets evenly. Juliana Nero top scored with 23 for the Windwards who had all of their matches in the Super 50 segment of the tournament washed out.
The tournament continues today with three more matches at the same venue. At 09:00h the Leewards take on Jamaica while at 14:00h will be the match of the day between Guyana and Barbados as both teams won their opening match. The final game of the day will be contested between first round losers, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands. That game starts at 19:00h under the lights.
(Taken from Guyana Times)