TEAM T&T IMPRESS IN WOMEN’S U19 COMPETITION

A WELCOME RETURN

CWI’s Rising Stars Women’s U19 tournament marked a welcome return to the playing fields in
Trinidad and Tobago. All six Regional teams, together with a team from the USA, assembled in
our twin-island Republic for a T20 showdown. Part of the CWI’s “Summer of Cricket”, the
tournament took place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Diego Martin Sporting Complex.
Inclement weather did not resist the urge to impact a few games, but it could not extinguish the
competitive fires. With the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup scheduled for 2023, the
regional selectors were keeping keen eyes on performances. By the end of the tournament, there
was certainly much for them to consider. The young ladies gave everything possible on the field,
with each team registering excellent individual performances. In a fitting finale, the winner was
decided in the final match, where T&T lost to USA to finish as runners-up.

LOCAL LADIES LASH LEEWARDS AND BARBADOS

Team T&T hit the ground running, firing on all cylinders from their first match. A commanding
opening partnership of 115 between captain Shalini Samaroo and wicketkeeper Shunelle Sawh
set the tone against the Leeward Islands. Both notched their maiden half centuries in National
colours. Samaroo’s 63 contained 12 beautiful boundaries and Sawh got an unbeaten 53, with a
quickfire 21 from Djenaba Joseph helping T&T to 164 – 2. “Super Shalini” was not finished,
however, returning to take 4 wickets for no runs off 2.1 overs, skittling Leewards for 26. In their
second match T&T bowled first and faced some early pressure from the Barbados batters. Holder
(32), Campbell (27) and Callender (34) took the Bajans to 113 – 2, which at first looked too
small a target. By the ninth over T&T were 48 – 3 and the target looked much better. Djenaba
Joseph had other ideas, and her own maiden half century (56) together with Anaiya Roberts (15)
secured the victory.

BOWLERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE

The home team’s third round match against Jamaica was abandoned due to persistent rain. They
faced Guyana in round 4, looking to keep pace with the also unbeaten USA ladies. Perhaps it
was a case of nerves, or simply excellent bowling, but T&T were dismissed for 69 in 13 overs.
Faced with the prospect of a first loss, the home bowlers responded magnificently. Our spin trio
of Samaroo, Ramnath and Ruben combined to take 7 wickets as Guyana crumbled for 29. Round
5 versus the Windward Islands saw more struggles with the bat for the hosts. Despite good
efforts from Sawh (36) and Samaroo (23), T&T were only on 96 – 7 in the final over. Kenika
Cassar belted 14 off the last 3 deliveries to give the home side a total of 111. A rain delay

reduced the Windwards’ target to 89, and at 50 – 4 after 11 overs they were looking comfortable.
Skipper Samaroo brought on Amelia Khan for the 12th over and this proved to be a master
stroke. Khan took a hattrick with her first 3 deliveries and claimed another scalp in her next over
to turn the tide. The Windwards collapsed to 68 all out, giving the hosts another victory.

WINNER TAKE ALL FINAL GAME

The last match of the tournament pitted unbeaten teams T&T and USA against each other to
decide the overall champions. Coached by former West Indies player and legend Shiv
Chanderpaul, the Geetika Kodali led team USA were a well-balanced outfit. Putting the hosts in
to bat first was a sign of their captain’s confidence in her bowlers. It was soon clear to all present
how justified that confidence was. Miserly bowling, supported by outstanding fielding, limited
T&T to a paltry 32 off half their overs. It would take a late counterattack from Joseph (34) and
Roberts (15) to get the hosts to 93 – 5. Whereas the home bowlers had successfully defended
similar small targets before, on this day their luck would run out. Despite a couple early setbacks
that left them on 20 – 2 in the 5th over, USA’s batters never looked troubled. Anika Kolan
displayed all the patience and application that her coach was known for in his career in
compiling an unbeaten 46. Her efforts secured victory and the title for her team with almost 4
overs to spare.

MUCH TO ADMIRE, EVEN IN DEFEAT

Team T&T may have fallen at the final hurdle, but they certainly have a lot to be proud of. In
Sawh, Samaroo and Joseph they produced 3 batters who each crossed 100 runs for the
tournament. Captain Samaroo was also the team’s leading wicket-taker with 9 scalps, combining
well with Ramnath and Ruben for 18 wickets together. The overall team spirit and camaraderie
was evident, with loud cheers of encouragement and support coming from the home dugout
every game. Yes, this loss will sting our young ladies, but losing to the better team on the day is
no shame. What needs to happen now is for those in charge to ensure that youth cricket builds on
this performance. Quite a few members of team T&T will be over the age to play at this level
next year. Development of our younger players is now of paramount importance, and not just for
the boys. As this tournament has clearly proven, the future is indeed female.