The Trinidad & Tobago Under-19 Women’s team snatched victory in a tense finish against the Windwards Islands in their third round encounter on Sunday at Gilbert Park. The win leaves the ladies with a clean sheet in the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship which is being held in Trinidad this year.
T&T lost the toss and were sent in to bat in a match that was reduced to 28 overs per side due to early morning showers. Shunelle Sawh and Samara Ramnath opened the batting but could only manage 10 runs by the fifth over as Windwards skipper Jannillea Glasgow accounted for Sawh early attempting a cover drive. Ramnath soon departed in similar fashion for just 6.
La Foucade, Manpaul, Cassar to the rescue
Skipper Shalini Samaroo and wicket-keeper Aniaya Roberts were the next pair at the crease, but they could not get a partnership going as Samaroo was caught at long on for 2. However, the experienced Maria La Foucade took control of the innings and punished the bowlers to all corners of the park. She put on a quick partnership of 31 runs, hitting 3 fours and striking the only six of the game. Roberts soon departed and Kdjazz Mitchell joined La Foucade and together they added 22 runs for the 5th wicket. Mitchell was the first to go LBW, and La Foucade followed soon after, attempting to charge one too many and getting stumped.
The highest partnership of the T&T innings then came through the pair of Kenika Cassar and Kirah Manpaul. Both ladies took advantage of the sluggish outfield and milked 47 runs off just under 10 overs, as they took the team past 100. Cassar was the first to go and the lower order quickly folded thereafter, registering a team total of 131 all out. Glasgow was the bowling star for Windward Islands with 4 for 11 runs from 6 overs.
T&T Dig Deep
The Windward Islands had a similar start to that of T&T as the opening pair only managed 14 in their first 5 overs. However, experienced Glasgow and Namiah Marcellin steadied the ship as the pair navigated T&T’s bowlers cautiously, but still scored close to the required run rate. T&T were without the services of two of their bowlers in their defence of the score, but led by smart captaincy of Samaroo, their colleagues on field gave their best efforts to attempt to secure victory. Marcellin retired hurt midway through the innings which broke the momentum somewhat for the visitors. Zakiyah Harrilal then accounted for both Nesha Alexander and Abinie St Jean in quick timing to bring Niesha Cherry to the crease. Once again, the skipper began to craft a partnership and threatened to take victory for her team. However, in the 23rd over, T&T got the prized wicket of Glasgow as some hesitant running on a second run resulted in her being run out at the striker’s end. The ground erupted in joy as the locals now had a real sniff of victory. Marcellin departed soon after bowled by Samaroo and the lower order batters could not achieve the required target, eventually posting 113 for the loss of 7 wickets at the end of their 28 overs.
After a hard-fought victory – given the circumstances – T&T now sit on top of the points table with 10 points after defeating Jamaica last Thursday and earning 2 points from their opener which was abandoned due to rain.
The T&T team play the Leeward Islands Under-19 Women next on Tuesday 11 July, 2023 at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Field at The University of the West Indies.
T&T U-19 WOMEN 131 all out [28 overs]
Maria La Foucade 30 [27]
Kirah Manpaul 20 [28]
Kenika Cassar 17 [32]
Jannillea Glasgow 4/11 [6 overs]
Abinie St. Jean 3/34 [6 overs]
WWI U-19 WOMEN 113/7 [28 overs]
Jannillea Glasgow 41 [66]
Namiah Marcellin 27 [51]
Zakiyah Harrilal 2/22 [5 overs]
Kdjazz Mitchell 1/19 [6 overs]
T&T U-19 Women won by 18 runs
Photo Credit: Randy O’Rosco
