North Zone Academy women’s team crashed to their third defeat of the 2025 Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) season, losing to Cricket Lovers by seven wickets in Diego Martin on Sunday.
No North batter got into double figures as a devastating five-wicket mid-innings slump saw them fall for 73 in 15.2 overs.
Aishani Ramsewak took two wickets but it could not prevent Cricket Lovers from getting to their target in only 7.3 overs.
North Zone coach Cynthia Joseph said the girls were playing on a matting wicket for the first time and did not adapt well to Diego Martin Central Secondary grounds conditions.
“The players did not apply themselves as I expected them to, but, however, I have to recognize that the majority of them have now started so it is a learning process,” she said.
“Cricket Lovers have a few seasoned players so they were able to strike the ball better than our players, hence the results,” Joseph added.
Before the dramatic collapse, North women lost two wickets within three balls with Amy Holder and Janeba Charles striking early.
North was still going along well at 31 for 3 in the sixth over when Jessica Davis’ run out for 0 triggered a slide.
Holder then dismissed Sarah Sahadath for a joint top score of 9 before another mix-up resulted in Ramsewak’s run-out without scoring.
Holder bowled Charlotte Mack (1) before Pauline Dufeal struck timber in getting rid of Angel Jada Bishop for 0.
North lost five wickets for three runs within the space of a game-changing 24 balls, to slide to 34 for 8.
Quinel Joseph (9) and Latisha Samel (7) spared North women’s blushes with a 29-run partnership for the ninth wicket to push the total to 73 all out in 15.2 overs.
“There were a couple of runouts, and the running between the wickets was bad, it was not swift enough as we have been training. Hence the reason why the sudden collapse,” Joseph lamented after the match.
Cricket Lovers contributed 43 runs in extras to the North cause, including 34 wides.
Holder took 4 for 22 while Dufeal had 3 for 14 for Cricket Lovers.
Cricket Lovers started their chase of 74 for victory with an opening stand of 32 in only 2.4 overs with Shania Augustus (14) striking three fours in an innings that lasted only nine balls.
Ramsewak bowled Augustus and then sent then sent the stumps sprawling again to remove Katrice Hernandez (3).
However, Cricket Lovers were well on their way to victory at 46 for 2.
Angel Jada Bishop bowled opener Charles (19), who also struck three fours before Amanda Rampal (10*) and Holder (2*) closed out the win.
Ramsewak had 2 for 11 while Bishop took 1 for 12.
North produced 17 wides in the 7.3 overs bowled among 26 extras.
“I have been trying to get them to bowl in a straight line. There were certain exercises I used with them. For instance, bowling directly to a teammate to catch so that they would get a proper straight line. Also, I used poles to get them running through the gate so they would get their hand movements in a correct manner,” said North coach Joseph.
North ended their debut season in the Championship Division, the second tier of national women’s club cricket, with two wins and three losses.
The North Academy women’s team was created in 2023 and spent the 2024 season in development before making their Championship bow in January.
“There has been a great bit of improvement. It could be better but I believe in time to come they all will improve their ability,” Joseph said of her team’s development.
The North Zone coach will now take her team back to the training field for the start of the T20 tournament which commences on 23 February at a venue to be announced.
“I am going to do some more intense training with them with regards to striking the ball more firmly.”
Summarized scores:
North Zone 73 all out in 15.2 overs (Sarah Sahadath 9, Quinel Joseph 9, Latisha Samuel 7; Amy Holder 4/22, Pauline Dufeal 3/14) vs. Cricket Lovers 74 for 3 in 7.3 overs (Janeba Charles 19, Shania Augustus 14, Amanda Rampaul 10*; Aishani Ramsewak 2/11, Angel Jada Bishop 1/12). Cricket Lovers won by seven wickets
North: Naomi Ali, Sarah Sahadath, Tejal Ramsewak, Jessica Davis, Sereiah Kawalsingh, Aishani Ramsewak, Charlotte Mack, Angel Jada Bishop, Latisha Samel, Quinel Joseph, Mya Sanoir.
