Holy Name Convent went into the 2020 season of the SSCL as the defending champions of both the Girls’ Open and Junior divisions in the North Zone. Their determined and talented young ladies also finished 2019 as the runners-up in the PowerGen Girls’ Intercol competition and placed 4th in the FLOW U-16 Girls’ competition. Expectations were understandably high, yet the coaches and managers knew that serious challenges lay in wait.
For the past two seasons, the Holy Name batting was led by their formidable opening pair of Jesse Ferdinand and Saarah Olton, with this dynamic duo combining to score an astounding 871 runs between them. Both were now abroad on athletic scholarships, so finding a new batting linchpin would be critical to Holy Name’s title defence. Enter Havana Leah Ramdeen.
Though by no means a rookie, having been a member of the school’s cricket teams for the past 5 years, Havana was never one to crave the spotlight. She was always content to provide consistent, reliable support in any area that her team needed it. As first-choice wicketkeeper, she is quite adept behind the stumps and has also chipped in with many a vital wicket when her deceptive slow bowling is called upon. The batting prowess was also never a doubt, with solid contributions the norm from her middle order position. In fact, Havana holds the North Zone record for highest score by a female school cricketer, smashing an unbeaten 144 against Diego Martin North when asked to open the innings for one game in 2018. It was the memory of this feat, coupled with well-earned confidence in her maturity and determination, that led to her coaches entrusting her with the job of filling the void at the top of the innings this season. It proved to be a resounding success.
In the 3 league games played she returned scores of 33 off 30 balls against St. Joseph’s Convent: 34 not out off just 18 balls against Blanchisseuse and 60 off 44 balls versus East Mucurapo. To put these performances into clearer perspective, let us consider the following statistics. Her 127 runs thus far have been scored off 92 deliveries, giving her an overall strike rate of 138. She has struck 13 fours – 41% of her run total – and she has already personally scored 51% of the total runs her team has scored off the bat this season. Batting worries? Not on this team!
Havana’s stellar season thus far has been one of the major factors in Holy Name retaining the North Zone Open division title for the 3rd year in a row and the 4th time in the past 5 years. Her willingness to step up and lead from the front and her dynamic performances thus far in doing so have undoubtedly made her not only one of the true Stars of the Week, but already a Star of the Season.
As a coach, it is such a rewarding feeling to see young players be willing to step up in whatever way their team needs them. Havana has always been such a player and she is definitely reaping the rewards for all her determination and hard work. May sucess always be a part of everything you do Havana.