The Windward Islands Women’s Under-19 team drew first blood against the Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) Women’s Under-19 team with a 30-run victory on Thursday. The teams are vying to capture the Browne-John/McIntyre trophy in the St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the first of the inaugural five-match T20 series between the two territories. The series forms part of the teams’ preparation for the West Indies Women’s Under-19 competition in July later this year.
T&T won the toss and captain Shalini Samaroo elected to field first. Kiara Reuben dismissed the opening batter for just 4 runs after which wickets fell at regular intervals. Samara Ramnath easily accounted for the next four wickets, including a run out. Zaida James of St. Lucia held the innings together by top-scoring with a brisk 71 from 55 balls, ensuring that the Windward Islands would have a decent total of 122 to defend. Ramnath finished with figures of 3 wickets for 11 runs from her 4 overs while Reuben and Samaroo ended with a wicket apiece.
T&T struggled to build partnerships as wickets fell regularly when their response began and lost their first 4 wickets for just 25 runs. However, contributions from Ramnath (15), Maria La Foucade (15) and KD Mitchell (14) allowed the team to inch towards the target but the superb bowling of James and Selena Ross combining to take 7 wickets resulted in T&T being bowled out for 92 in 16.5 overs.
The T&T women will aim to level the series in their second encounter tomorrow (April 15) at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex.
The participation of many of the local team members marks the success of the various club structures on the domestic circuit over the past few years as the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s Cricket Association continued to provide opportunities for development at various levels. Women’s cricket clubs such as Achievers, Phoenix, Hibiscus, Barrackpore United and The UWI Women’s Cricket Club would be proud to have been instrumental during some part of the cricketers’ journeys.
T&T U-19 Team;
Shalini Samaroo (Captain), Djenaba Joseph, Shunelle Sawh, Katrina Ruben, Kiara Ruben, Samara Ramnath, Aniaya Roberts, KD Jazz Mitchell, Amala Durgadeen, Ayah Baksh, Maria La Foucade, Zakiyah Harrilal, Katelin Singh, Amelia Khan, Kirah Manpaul
WI U-19 122/6 (20 over)
Zaida James 71 (55)
Namiah Marcellin 9 (13)
Samara Ramnath 3/11 (4 overs)
Shalini Samaroo 1/12 (4 overs)
T&T U-19 92 all out (16.5 overs)
Samara Ramnath 15 (12)
Maria La Foucade 15 (14)
Zaida James 4/6 (3.5 overs)
Selena Ross 3/22 (4 overs)
