Final: WICB Women’s Super50: 2nd Consecutive Title for T&T Divas!!

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

The defending Regional Women’s Super50 Champions Trinidad & Tobago battled the strongest team in the 2017 competition, Barbados, and it was no walk in the park. T&T had one loss in the tournament and it was to their final opponents. This time the Divas were confident they’d get a different result, one in their favour.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Barbados won the toss and sent T&T to bat first. Once again T&T got a solid opening stance from Felicia Walters and Reniece Boyce. The pair posted 44 before Boyce was caught off Deandra Dottin for 29. Shenelle Lord then ably supported Walters as they took the total to 93 before Deandra Dottin sent Lord back to the pavilion for 13. Britney Cooper didn’t last long, Keila Elliot trapped her LBW for 2 and Stacy Ann King was next togo for 6. Captain Merissa Aguilleira with all her experience, made a poor shot selection and was caught by her opposing number Selman, off Hayley Matthews for 1. T&T 111/5 in the 28th over and looking like they won’t get to 150.

Remember after the last match I said Felicia Walter reminded me of Shiv Chanderpaul dropping anchor in an innings? Well that’s exactly what she did and with her was Rachel Vincent who seems to be flourishing lower down the order instead of opening. Vincent smacked a quickfire 20 which included 4 fours in a 31-run partnership with Walters, before she fell, caught and bowled by Hayley Matthews in the 36th over. The rest of T&T’s batters never got to double figures. Walters though, managed to reach a half century before Selman bowled her for 53. T&T eventually all out for 165 in 46 overs.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Keila Elliot was the best bowler for Barbados taking 4/47 from her 10 overs. Deandra Dottin finished with 3/31 and Hayley Matthews had stunning figures of 10-5-17-2.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

The Bajan run-chase took a blow as Hayley Matthews fell for 9 and wicketkeeper Kycia Knight for a duck, which left them reeling at 9/2. But Deandra Dottin and Kyshona Knight rebuilt the Barbados innings and they looked set to take their team to victory. While the scoring was rapid, it was steady, and as we know, slow and steady wins the race. This pair shared a 61-run partnership. A drinks break was taken and Divas Captain Merissa Aguilleira gave her team a pep talk. No sooner had they retaken the field, Dottin was cheekily bowled by Ramharack for 32. Knight then soldiered on with Charlene Taitt, putting on 24 together before Knight fell for 32 to Shenelle Lord. It was then a landslide of Bajan wickets, Alleyne 0, Griffith 0 and Selman 0. Barbados slipping from 70/3 in the 19th to 97/7 in the 34th over.

(Photo via Tiebreakersport)

Taitt was joined by Shamilia Connell, the tall, athletic pacer. They then took semi-control of the run-chase, Connell eeking out the boundaries via some poor fielding and wayward bowling. It was at this point in the match that T&T looked like the pressure was really getting to them. The pacers were getting trounced, so Aguilleira changed tactics, reintroducing her slow bowlers and this proved successful. Anisa Mohammed bamboozled Connell on 20, giving Aguilleira an easy stumping. Then Shenelle Lord had Keila Elliot caught by Stacy Ann King and the exuberance was written all over, as she thumped the pitch with her hands. Victory was near for the defending champs. Karishma Ramharack came back in and bowled Taitt for a well played 24. The T&T Divas ran to hug and congratulate each other on turning the match around and securing a second consecutive WICB Regional Women’s Super50 Title.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Barbados all out for 143 in 45.5 overs. Felicia Walters took 3/25 from 10 overs, Anisa Mohammed, Karishma Ramharack and Shenelle Lord all taking 2 wickets each.

Good cricket from Barbados and losing is tough so I look forward to seeing this team return next year God Willing to try and go one step better.

(Photo via: Tiebreakersport)

T&T’s Felicia Walters with 53 runs and 3/25 was deservedly the Player of the Match for final.

                                                                             (Photo via: Tiebreakersport)

Hayley Matthews of Barbados walked away with three individual awards, Most Wickets (joint with Afy Fletcher of the Windward Islands, 15 wickets each.), Most Runs and Tournament MVP.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Relive the winning moment below. CONGRATULATIONS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO DIVAS!!!

​(Video via: Cricket West Indies Media Livestream)

Round 5: WICB Women’s Super50: Arch rivals Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago are into the final.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Trinidad & Tobago were in a must win situation against 2nd placed Windward Islands, if they wanted to reach the final and defend their title. Barbados had all but officially booked their spot in the final, so the Trinis were anxious for the remaining spot.

T&T won the toss and elected to bowl first, they had one change to the squad as pacer Caneisha Isaac was rested in favour of Kamara Ragoobar. The Windwards started out slowly but looked set to get another 100+ score, as Swayline Williams and Stacy Ann Adams took on the divas bowling. Ramharack though started weaving her magic spin and trapped Adams in the 10th over for 12. Cordel Jack, the usually dependable batter for the Windwards, didn’t last long against Ramharack as she was caught for 7. Windwards now 33/2 in the 20th over. Williams persisted but she was next to go for 14 inclusive of 2 fours, falling to Felicia Walters. Despite the ticking over scoreboard, the wickets continued to fall. Ever dependable Captain Afy Fletcher couldn’t withstand the medium pace of Lee Ann Kirby who had her caught easily by Walters for 6. But the middle order pair of Juliana Nero and Roylin Cooper looked set to take their team to a defensible total.  The pair looked comfortable in the middle, posting a 41 run partnership before Nero fell to Ragoobar for 25. Windwards 102/6. The wickets fell steadily after this as Cooper was next to go for 20, followed by Peters for 1, Joseph for 9, Crafton 4 and Turtin 2.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

The Windward Islands all out for 121 in 47.2 overs. Kirby was the best T&T bowler with 3/17 from 10 overs. Ramharack and Ragoobar took 2 wickets each.

T&T had a shaky start, Reniece Boyce and Britney Cooper both fell by the time the score reached 25 in the 7th over. Opener Felicia Walters looked reminiscent of West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Walters dropped anchor as she did in the previous two matches and stayed the course of the Divas innings. She had an able and supportive partner in Stacy Ann King. They rotated the strike, ensuring T&T got the to the required target. Both batters ended with 5 fours. T&T reaching the 122 target comfortably in 35.5 overs. King and Walters finished the innings not out on 58 and 40 respectively.

The victory assured T&T a spot in the final to face Barbados and the chance to successfully defend the title they currently hold.

Stacy Ann King for her 58 not out was Player of the Match.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Barbados were already into the final but not officially as their last game against the Leeward Islands was still outstanding in the points calculation. The Bajan girls made sure to fix this quickly as they ran through the Leewards innings. Winning the toss, Barbados sent the Leewards in to bat first and Hayley Matthews ran riot with the ball through their innings. Saneldo Willett was the only Leeward player to reach double figures, she made 13. The rest of the team’s scores read like an international phone number, 2 9 9 9 0 0 1 0 0 4. Leewards all out for 65 in 27.2 overs. Hayley Matthews had figures of 6/16 from 7.2 overs. Shamilia Connell was next best with 2/12, Shanna Thompson and Deandra Dottin had 1 wicket each.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

As if 6 wickets weren’t enough, Matthews returned to start with the bat, accounting for 43 of the 66 required for a Barbados victory. Reshelle Griffith provided 5, with Deandra Dottin adding 15 not out and Charlene Taitt with her on 1 not out. As Barbados raced to their target in 10.3 overs.

For her 6/16 and 43 runs, it was a no-brainer that Hayley Matthews was Player of the Match.

            (Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

In the final match of the round robin stage, Jamaica and Guyana clashed in Park Hill. Guyana won the toss and sent the Jamaicans in to bat first. At this point, Jamaica was yet to earn a win in the 2017 tournament. Jamaica and West Indies Captain Stafanie Taylor was in major need of some runs for this tournament, as her total column was almost as dry as the Sahara Desert. This was the match where Taylor and Jamaica’s fortunes turned, but it was too little too late. Taylor pummeled the Guyanese bowling, carting 7 fours and a six on her way to an unbeaten 89. Tameka Sanford added 31 and Jodian Morgan 16, Jamaica posted 188 all out in exactly 50 overs. The first team to last the full quota of overs and to post the highest score of the 2017 tournament.

(Photo via: Shari John Photography)

Subrina Monroe took 6/24 from 8 overs, Tremayne Smartt and Akaze Thompson took 2 wickets each.

Smartt was the top scorer for Guyana with 13, Heema Singh 12 and June Ogle 11. The rest of the team were once again single digits. Chedean Nation snapped up 4/20 from 8.3 overs and Chinelle Henry 2/17 from 7 overs. As Guyana were bowled out for 76 in 30.3 overs.

Stafanie Taylor was Player of the Match.

(Photo via: Shari John Photography)

So the final is set, Sunday 30th April, it’s Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Can the T&T Divas successfully defend their title? Or will the start-studded Barbadian team flex its talents and take the title? Either way, we’re going to get good cricket, which will only benefit the future of Women’s cricket in the West Indies….

Barbados sees T&T as biggest challenge

Barbados’ Hayley Matthews shares her thoughts on the 2017 tournament.

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Round 4:WICB Women’s Super 50: Jamaica exit as Barbados march into the final!!

       (Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

It was the top of the table clash between the Windward Islands and Barbados in a match reduced to 27 overs because of persistent rain. The Bajans won the toss and send the Windwards in to bat first.

Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin and Shakera Selman wrecked havoc on the Windwards batters accounting for 8 wickets between them. The massacre started in the second over when Connell has Swayline Williams caught for a duck. Stacy-Ann Adams was the next to go for 3 via Selman. Windwards 9/2 in the 5th over, it then became 9/3 in the next over when Connell bowled Cordel Jack for 5 and 9/4 when she had Juliana Nero caught for 0. Captain Afy Fletcher became Selman’s second wicket for 1 and Akeria Peters was Connell’s 3rd. Windward Islands reeling at 15/6 in the 10th over. But a fightback ensued by Quiana Joseph and Nerissa Crafton who scored 25 and 26 respectively taking the score to 73 before Crafton lost her wicket to Dottin. Joseph fell to Shanna Thompson and the end was near for the Windwards as they were all out for 83 from 24.3 overs.

Shamilia Connell ended with figures of 6-1-15-4, Shakera Selman had 6-2-8-2 and Deandra Dottin 4-0-16-2.

Barbados had an easy time chasing the runs however they lost 4 wickets on the way. Hayley Matthews paved the way with a solid start for the Bajans, they reached 37 before Matthews lost her wicket in the 7th over for 24, her opposing number Afy Fletcher accounting for this wicket. Kycia Knight and her twin Kyshona continued, with the total on 57, Kycia fell to Swayline Williams for 13. Dottin was the next to fall for 7 to Fletcher and Charlene Taitt 2 also to Fletcher. Kyshona stayed until the end ensuring that her team got to their target of 84 comfortably. She finished on 28 not out.

Once again Afy Fletcher was the best bowler for the Windward Islands taking 3/19 from 4.5 overs. Swayline Williams had 3-0-15-1.

Shamilia Connell of Barbados was Player of the Match. Barbados’s victory earned them a spot in the final.

         (Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

Hot on the heels of the Bajans victory were defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, who are looking to secure a spot in the final on Sunday. The Divas had to get through Jamaica, the team they defeated in last year’s final. The Jamaicans are yet to win a match in this year’s tournament, the only points they have are via a no result in the first round when the match was abandoned due to a wet outfield.

(Photo via: Tiebreaker Sports)

Jamaica won the toss and sent T&T in to bat first, hoping they could unsettle the Trinis in a match reduced to 24 overs because of rain. Reniece Boyce finally rewarded the selectors for her inclusion. She and Felicia Walters posted 45 before Boyce was the first to go for 31, when she was caught by Stafanie Taylor off Vanessa Watts. Walters departed 10 runs later for 13 when she was run out by Shanel Daley. T&T then had 2 of their most experienced players at the wicket, looking formidable against the Jamaicans. Cooper smacked 2 fours on her way to 19 before Daley accounted for her wicket and King departed for 6. T&T 79/4 in the 20th over. Captain Aguilleira and Lee Ann Kirby were next in but Kirby was run out by Stafanie for 1, then Agulleira fell for 17. T&T 102/6 then became 102/7 in the 23rd over when Anisa Mohammed was run out for 0. T&T ending their 24 overs on 111/8, Rachel Vincent, back in the squad and lower down the order and Karishma Ramharack were the not out batters on 8 and 6 respectively.

Shanel Daley was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers taking 3/15 from 4 overs, followed by Captain Stafanie Taylor 2/31 from 4 overs with 1 maiden.

Jamaica thought it might have been small runs but they had another thing coming. In one of the closest games of the tournament so far, Jamaica got off to a less than ideal start. Losing opener Jodian Morgan for 4 with the score on 8. But Shanel Daley returned with the bat to partner with Rashada Williams to carry the total to 41 before Daley was bowled by Felicia Walters for 17. Williams fell 5 runs later for 15, run out by Rachel Vincent. Stafanie Taylor’s poor batting form in this tournament continued as she was bowled for 3 by Ramharack. Jamaica now 49/4 in the 14th over. Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry then steadied the Jamaica innings, blasting the T&T bowlers without mercy. They partnered for 31 runs before Shenelle Lord snapped up Nation’s wicket for 16 in the 19th over. Vanessa Watts was bowled by Lee Ann Kirby for 1. Karishma Ramharack then spun some magic in the 21st over when she accounted for Henry for 18 and Karla Cohen for 3. Tameka Sanford was the only tailender who provided some resistance, finishing the match on 15 not out. The last 2 batters Keneshia Ferron and Neisha-Ann Waisome both fell without scoring. Jamaica all out for 103 in 22.4 overs, losing by 8 runs.

Jamaica are out of the running for this year’s tournament and will definitely need to assess what went wrong this year.

(Photo via: Tiebreaker Sports)

Karishma Ramharack finished with 3/10 from 5 overs with Caneisha Isaac, Kirby, Mohammed, Walters and Lord taking 1 wicket each. Ramharack was player of the match.

(Photo via: Tiebreaker Sports)

 

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

The bottom of the table clash between Guyana and the Leeward Islands was also reduced to 24 overs per side because of rain. The game itself was probably shorter than the rain break the teams had. Guyana won the toss and sent the Leewards in to bat first. Shawnisha Hector was the only Leewards batter to reach double figures, scoring 12 which included 2 fours. The rest of the team had scores that looked like a product barcode, 2 3 0 4 0 0 1 5 2 1. The Leeward Islands posted 41 all out in 17.4 overs.

Subrina Monroe was the best Guyanese bowler, taking 3/10 from 4 over, followed by Akaze Thompson with 3/14 from 4.4 overs and Tremayne Smartt with 2/8 from 6 overs.

June Ogle opened the batting for Guyana scoring 14 of the required 42 runs for victory, finishing the game not out. Shamaine Campbelle and Lashuna Toussaint scored 7 runs a piece, Katana Mentore fell for a duck and Mandy Mangru was not out with Ogle on 3. Guyana finishing on 43/3 in 15.2 overs.

Hector, Liburd and Jackson finished with 1 wicket each, bowling for the Leewards.

So it makes for a rather interesting final round robin stage, as Trinidad & Tobago and the Windward Islands are both tied for points and will be looking to securing victories on Friday to secure a spot in the final to face Barbados.

(Photo via: Cricket West Indies Media)

 

 

 

Round 3: WICB Women’s Super 50: Windwards remain unbeaten as Jamaica grasping for progression.

There’s the age old adage that “Fortune favours the brave”. In this case, the Leeward Islands took the brave and bold decision to bat first, after winning the toss against the defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Divas, in the WICB’s Women’s Regional Super50 Round 3 match.

(Photo via: WIPA)

Kiaye Hanley was the first batter to fall for 0 with the score on 8 when she sent one straight to Felicia Walters from the bowling of Lee Ann Kirby. 11 runs later in the 5th over, Eldora Sylvester became the first of Anisa Mohammed’s 4 wickets when she was caught by Shenelle Lord for 11. Amanda Edwards became victim #2 for Mohammed scoring 1 off 8 balls. Saneldo Willett was one of 4 batters to reach double figures but she fell for 12, run out by Stacy Ann King. The score now 31/4 in the 11th over. Then the Leewards highest partnership happened between Jenisen Richards and Shawnisha Hector, who put on 18 before Caneisha Isaac broke the mojo of the pair. First she bagged the wicket of Hector for 12, then Richards for 13. In between those two wickets, Anisa Mohammed picked up her third when she bowled Rozel Liburd for 4. The Leeward Islands now 59/7.

It was officially downhill from there as the remaining 3 wickets fell for 17 runs. Karishma Ramharack picked up Dawn-Marie Armstrong and Tynetta McKoy for 4 each. And Anisa Mohammed wrapped up the Leeward Innings, when she bowled Davanna Claxton for a duck. Leeward Islands all out for 76 in 28.3 overs. Mohammed finished with figures of 8.3-4-18-4, Ramharack 6-3-10-2, Isaac 8-1-26-2 and Kirby 3-1-10-1.

Felicia Walters continued her solid opening performance but her opening partner Reniece Boyce who replaced the under-preforming Rachel Vincent, could only muster 4 runs before Dawn-Marie Armstrong had her caught. T&T 7/1. Britney Cooper showed why she’s one of the most experienced players in the tournament and region. She hit a quickfire 27, which included 3 fours and a six before Amanda Edwards accounted for her wicket. T&T 57/2 in the 9th over and cruising to victory. Stacy Ann King strode to the crease and together with Walters took the Red Force Divas to the target of 77 in 10.4 overs. King finished on 19 not out which included 4 fours and Walters 18 not out, inclusive of 3 fours. Making it two victories out of three matches for the defending Champions.

Anisa Mohammed for her 4 wickets was Player of the Match.

(Photo via: Local Women’s Cricket Facebook Page)

 

(Photo via: WIPA)

In another match played simultaneously, Barbados and Guyana clashed at Park Hill Playing Field. Guyana won the toss and asked the Bajans to take first strike. They lost Kycia Knight with the score on 15 when she was bowled by Subrina Monroe in the 6th over for 6. Hayley Matthews was then joined by Reshelle Griffith and they doubled the score before Griffith on 11 became Munroe’s 2nd wicket. Deandra Dottin joined her West Indies teamamte Matthews and the pair partnered for 31 runs before Tremayne Smartt picked up Matthews’ wicket for 20 runs. Plaffiana Millington then picked up new batter Charlene Taitt for 1. Barbados now 62/4 in the 22nd over. Aaliyah Alleyne and Rashida Goring did nothing to impress upon the Bajan score as they fell for 5 and 0 respectively. Barbados 73/5. That’s when Shakera Selman and Dottin paired up to give the Bajans their highest partnership of 41 runs before Dottin fell for an unbeaten 47 which included 5 fours and a 6. Shamilia Connell made 7, Keila Elliott 1 and Shanna Thompson 0, leaving Selman on 30 not out.

Barbados’ Innings ended on 145 all out in 44.3 overs. Tremayne Smartt had figures of 10-2-15-3. Followed by Giddings and Munroe with 2 wickets each and Thompson, Millington and Shultz 1 wicket each.

Guyana reached 19 before they lost their first wicket. June Ogle was bowled by Shamilia Connell for 10. Then it became 24/2 when Katana Mentore fell to Hayley Matthews for 8. Shamaine Campbelle and Lashuna Toussaint partnered for 26 runs before Toussaint fell for 9 with the score on 50. It was then  steady progress of wickets as Campbelle fell for a hard-fought 25 with the score on 72. Tremayne Smartt was the only other batter to reach double figures, scoring 16. With the score on 104 Guyana lost their last four wickets. Handing Barbados victory by 42 runs.

Shamilia Connell ended with figures of 8-1-16-4 while Aaliyah Alleyne 7.4-2-13-3. Deandra Dottin was Player of the Match for her unbeaten 47.

(Photo via: WIPA)

Certainly last but not least and perhaps the most shocking, was Jamaica’s second consecutive loss of the tournament after their first match was abandoned because of a wet outfield. Coming up against the Windward Islands in this third round match, the Jamaicans were sent in to bat first after the Windwards won the toss. The highest score from the Jamaicans was 14 from Rashada Williams followed by 13 from Karla Cohen. Stafanie Taylor’s poor run form continued as she could only muster 6 and it seems that her team fails to post any kind of challenging total if she doesn’t heavily contribute. It was the Afy Fletcher show, as she was a bowling force to be reckoned with. Fletcher took 7 of the 10 Jamaican wickets to fall, making it the most by any one player in this year’s tournament.

(Photo via: sportcaraibe.com)

Jamaica all out for 84 in 35.2 overs. Fletcher finished with 9.2-1.13.7. With four other bowlers taking 1 wicket each.

In their turn at the crease, Fletcher returned to star with the bat as she made 23, equaled by Swayline Williams as the wickets fell around them. The Windwards reached victory finishing on 85/8 in 36.2 overs and remaining unbeaten after three round of the 2017 Women’s Regional Super 50. Even though they are 4th on the points table, Jamaica are virtually hanging on by a thread to progression into the knockout phase of the tournament.

 

 

Day 2: WICB Women’s Super50- T&T, Barbados, Windwards WIN!!

(Photo Via: Shari John Photography)

Defending Champions Trinidad & Tobago were seeking that first victory in the 2017 tournament when they played Guyana in their 2nd match. T&T won the toss and Captain Merissa Aguilleira asked the Guyanese to bat first. T&T fielded a team with one change which saw Shanice Pascall favoured over Reniece Boyce. Caneisha Isaac struck with the 2nd ball of the very first over, when she had June Ogle caught behind by Aguilleira for 0. Four balls later, Melanie Henry for duck, was Isaac’s second victim, as once again Aguilleira took the catch behind the stumps. Guyana in big trouble at 2/2.  Shamaine Campbelle on 3 was wicket number three when Isaac had her bails flying in the 9th over. And Isaac accounted for Katana Mentore for 6 in the 11th over as she took the wickets of the first four Guyanese batters.

(Photo Via: Shari John Photography)

Tremaine Smartt and Lashuna Toussaint had a 41 run partnership that looked like it would have given Guyana a solid total after the disaster up front. But the T&T bowlers had other ideas, as Anisa Mohammed showed why she was one of the top spinners in the world. Mohammed accounted for the wickets of both Smartt and Toussaint for 15 and 16 respectively. Guyana now 61/6 in the 27th over. The score then became 68/7 when Karishma Ramharack trapped Akaze Thompson for 5,  then 76/8 when Shanice Pascall scalped Erva Giddings for 0. Subrina Munroe was the only tailender to offer some resistance, making 14 before Ramharack bowled her and Anisa Mohammed wrapped up the Guyana innings when she had Plaffiana Millington caught by Shenelle Lord for 1. Guyana 83 ALL OUT in 42.4 overs.

(Photo Via: Shari John Photography)

T&T had a shambolic start to their run chase at the paltry total, as Rachel Vincent’s batting woes continued, this time trapped by Erva Giddings for 0. Then it became 13/2 when Britney Cooper was bowled by Giddings for 6. Opener Felicia Walters and veteran Stacy Ann King then steadied the ship as they put on 27 before King was caught off Monroe for 18. Shanice Pascall joined Walters and lasted all off 2 balls before Monroe bowled her for 0. T&T now 41/4 and looking like they won’t reach the 84 run target.

(Photo Via: Shari John Photography)

But Skipper Merissa Aguilleira strode in and took charge, ensuring T&T had their first win. She finished on 30 not out which included 4 fours, with her was Walters, who survived from the opening to end on 15 not out, inclusive of 1 four. T&T reaching the target of 84 runs in 29.4 overs.

(Photo via: Local women’s Cricket Facebook Group)

Bowling for T&T, Caneisha Issac had 4/22 from 8 overs. Anisa Mohammed 3/15 from 9 overs but Karishma Ramharack had stellar figures of 2/0 from 4.4 over with 4 maiden overs. Isaac was Player of the Match for her match winning, top-order havoc.

(Photo Via: Shari John Photography)

2016 Runners up Jamaica are yet to register a win in this year’s competition, as they lost to a Barbadian team that looks like the team to beat this year. Barbados won the toss and sent Jamaica in to bat first, which proved a good decision. Shamilia Connell picked up the first wicket of Natasha McLean for 6. Jamaica 10/1 in the 7th over. Shakera Selman then trapped Jodian Morgan LBW for 5, Jamaica 20/2, then it became 20/3 in the same over when Captain Stafanie Taylor was also trapped LBW for 0. Rashida Williams soldiered on and added 14 with Shanel Daly before Daly fell for 4 to Hayley Matthews. Chedean Nation top scored with 17 and Chinelle Henry with 10 as the only other batters to reach double figures. Deandra Dottin and Keila Elliot accounted for the remaining Jamaican wickets.

Jamaica 87 ALL OUT in 34.1 overs. Deandra Dottin finished with 4/24 from 7 overs, Keila Elliot had 2/9 from 2.1 overs and Shakera Selman had 2/17 from 10.

Barbados made easy work of their target losing only 3 wickets in the process. Kycia Knight fell for 2, Reshelle Griffith 14 and Deandra Dottin for 4. Hayley Matthews blew away the Jamaican bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 56 not out, which included 10 fours. With her at end the was Charlene Taitt on 9 not out. Barbados 89/3, winners in 23.3 overs.

(Photo via: WIPA)

In the final match, the Leeward Islands won the toss and sent the Windward Islands in to bat first. The Windwards posted 179 all out in 41.1 overs. Cordel Jack top scored with 37 followed by Afi Fletcher with 29 and Swayline Williams with 19.

The Leewards bowling was extremely careless and wayward as they gave away 48 runs in extras. Shawnisha Hector took 3/29 in 8.1 overs. With Rozel Liburd 3/39 from 10 overs and Amanda Edwards 2/24 from her 10 overs.

Amanda Edwards with 21 runs was the top scorer for the Leewards when it was their turn to bat, followed by Terez Parker with 14 and Tynetta McKoy 12. The Leewards were bowled out for 104 in 36.2 overs, handing the Windward Islands victory by 75 runs.

Quiana Joseph was the best Windward Islands bowler with figures of 4/35 from 8 overs. Afi Fletcher was next best with 3/23 from 8.2 overs.

 

Day 1: WICB Women’s Regional Super50

           (Photo Courtesy: West Indies Cricket Board)

Day one of the 2017 WICB Women’s Regional Super50 being held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines didn’t start according to plan for several reasons. Issues like water-logged fields, rain-delays and defeat for defending champs Trinidad & Tobago Divas, were some of the said reasons. Three games were supposed to have been played on the opening day, T&T vs Barbados, Windward Islands vs Guyana and Jamaica vs Leeward Islands. Two of those fixtures had results as Jamaica vs Leewards was abandoned due to the water logged outfield.

The T&T vs Barbados game had a late start also due to weather conditions resulting in a reduced over match, 46 per side. Barbados won the toss and elected to bowl first which proved to be a good decision as Felicia Walters was the first to go for 10 with the T&T score on 17. Rachel Vincent was joined by West Indies veteran Britney Cooper, they then started the rebuild of the Divas innings. With the score doubled and now 36, Vincent was trapped LBW to Deandra Dottin for 12. Cooper was then joined by another West Indies veteran, Stacy Ann King, who had the worst start she could have wanted to the tournament. King fell for a duck, when Dottin had her caught behind by half of the Knight twins, Kycia.

T&T Captain Merissa Aguilleira then joined Cooper in the middle and they got the Divas scoreboard ticking over. This pair had a partnership of 45 before Cooper fell to Hayley Matthews for 52. T&T now 81/4. Shenelle Lord posted a 2 ball 0 followed by Lee Ann Kirby with a first ball 0 and Reniece Boyce in exact fashion. Aaliyah Alleyne and Matthews accounted for this havoc. T&T were reeling now at 82/7 in the 27th over.But Captain Aguilleira found an able partner to steady the sinking ship in Anisa Mohammed. This partnership put on 47 runs before Mohammed was run out for 17 in the 41st over, then Hayley Matthews bowled Aguilleira for 25 in the 42nd over. T&T now 130/9. Caneisha Isaac on debut, made 1 before she was run out by Kyshona Knight still in 42nd over. T&T all out for 131 in 42 overs. T&T had FOUR batters who did not score a run.

Hayley Matthews had the best bowling figures for Barbados with 10-3-24-4, next best was Deandra Dottin with 6-0-19-2. Shamilia Connell and Keila Elliot had one wicket each.

T&T might have thought they had a chance for victory despite their less than solid total. Debutant Caneisha Isaac had Kycia Knight caught by Karishma Ramharack in the third over for 1 with the score on 3. 14 runs later, Kirby picked up the big wicket of Hayley Matthews caught behind for 6. Barbados now 17/2. But that was where the game slipped away from T&T, as Deandra Dottin joined Kyshona Knight at the wicket and they clobbered the Divas bowling. The pair put on 65 before Dottin was caught and bowled by Mohammed for 26 which included 4 fours. Charlene Taitt then joined with Knight to take the Barbadians home, as Knight was the aggressor. Mohammed also accounted for Knight’s wicket when she trapped her LBW for an unbeaten 56 which included 4 fours and a six. Barbados now 113/4 in the 34th over.

By this time the Barbadians were cruising to victory as Aaliyah Alleyne added 9 with Taitt’s 19 to take their team to victory in 37.1 overs. Barbados finishing on 132/4, winning by 6 wickets. Anisa Mohammed finished with 2 wickets followed by Kirby and Isaac with one each.

         (Photo Courtesy: West Indies Cricket Board)

In the other match between Guyana and the Windward Islands. The Windwards won the toss and sent the Guyanese in to bat first. June Olge with 37 inclusive of 2 fours and West Indies player Shamaine Campbell 26 inclusive of 3 fours, helped Guyana reach 131/9 from their 50 overs. Akeria Peters, Swayline Williams and West Indies player Afi Fletcher took 2 wickets a piece, with Quiana Joseph and Holly Charles taking one each.

The Windwards made easy work of the target thanks to Cordel Jack who hit 8 fours on her way to an unbeaten 41 in taking her team to victory. Afi Fletcher was next best with 24 followed by Quiana Joseph with 16. The Windward Islands won, reaching their target of 132 in 34.1 overs

Bowling for Guyana, Erva Giddings took 2 wickets followed by one each for Akaze Thompson, Kaysia Shultz and June Ogle.

WI are more than just cricket…

(Photo Courtesy: West Indies Cricket Board)

I graduated from university a couple years ago and I made the decision that I needed a break from academics before I pursued my Master’s degree. But this past week I would have given anything to be an undergraduate student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus. The UWI through the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications (CARIMAC)  and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for five bursaries beginning September 2017. Head of CARIMAC, Professor Hopeton Dunn says “the programme is geared towards affording students with a specific interest in cricket as they pursue further education in Media/ Communications programmes to include undergraduate studies in Integrated Marketing Communication, Journalism (Radio, Television, Print and Online) and Digital Media Production.’” The MOU has prompted CARIMAC to add two new courses in the short term – Cricket Commentary and Analytics and Sport Culture and Caribbean Media which will be offered in the new academic year.

Being a Sports Journalist for the past 3 years, I’ve covered lots of different sports, as far as Sydney, Australia in 2015 for the Netball World Cup where Trinidad & Tobago participated. But my love has ALWAYS BEEN and WILL ALWAYS BE cricket, particularly WEST INDIES Cricket. So you see my grouse when this educational partnership and opportunity was announced.

The five bursaries are being named in honour of five Caribbean media stalwarts. The honourees are the late Roy Lawrence and Tony Cozier; Tony Becca, Headley Samuels and Joseph Perreira. Men who have been the voices and words of West Indies cricket from time immemorial. The opportunity goes further, as President of the WICB, Dave Cameron said  “the students who get selected for the bursaries will have access to work experience in WICB’s international and regional series and with other partners where applicable.” All undergraduates who are eligible for these bursaries should be rushing forward to grasp at the opportunities, I know I would have.

(Photo Courtesy: West Indies Cricket Board)

This partnership is something innovative and promising as it has never been done before in the long history of both the UWI and WICB. The West Indies Cricket Board is showing that it means business in developing cricket in the Caribbean, not just the 11 players on the field but all West Indians. Not all boys and girls are cut out to be cricketers but they still love the sport, this now, is their chance to be a part of WI game and WI culture. The WICB is reaching out to the future generations and ensuring that “WI are all in”.

Australia, England and the other cricket superpowers are all building cricket from off the field. They are engaging some of the most brilliant minds and enthusiasts to grow the game via the development of cricket software and applications to engaging them in internships with office administration or as team assistants. And now, the WICB following suit, taking its first steps in ensuring that the coverage of West Indies Cricket and its traditions are passed on to competent, qualified and most importantly, PASSIONATE individuals.

So I’ll sit here, behind my computer and write this blog, still SOUR because I am not an undergrad student at CARIMAC at the UWI, Mona Jamaica.

But sour as I may be, I will NEVER love West Indies Cricket any less. One Love…

“Rally… NOW… and forevermore, Rally round the WEST INDIES”.

My West Indies… Beach, food, cricket… WI culture!!!

 

We interchange the use of the words Caribbean and West Indies, so please don’t be confused during this blog if you see I use them, they mean the same thing. I live in Trinidad & Tobago, but I have not visited a beach in almost 5 months. I was in Antigua from December 26- January 9 on holiday and was at the beach almost everyday. Antigua holds a special spot in my heart, as some of my near and dear ones reside there. Their claim to have 365 beaches is still a bit contentious to me, as a sliver of land could separate a space and they’ll claim that as 2 separate beaches. Me, I just go with the flow, they depend on tourism for their economy, so tout away at 365.

Not all Caribbean islands have turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Trinidad is atop that list, we have jade green waters and beige sand at best. Tobago on the hand fits snugly in with the “perfect” island imagery. Turquoise beaches and white sand, slow island life and the whole touristy vibes associated with a tourist dollar economy. Trinidad is the busy-body kinda hustle and bustle of the Caribbean, but it’s laid back just enough to be island life. For the better part of my life, we’ve been living off the wealth of an oil-based economy. Well now “$h!+ stick in we @$$” and oil isn’t saving us and the country is economically stagnant, but in the words of the 2017 Road March song “We Jammin Still”.

I might be biased but I don’t think there’s another Caribbean country whose food and people are as tasty and diverse as Trinidad & Tobago. From dishes passed on through the generations of the colonizers, slaves and indentured labourers, to the settlement Middle Easterners, Chinese, South Americans and just about any other culture you can think about. Trinidad & Tobago is the melting pot of the Caribbean. Many have tried to copy but never succeeded to make better doubles, roti and curry than Trinbagonians.

Despite this island rivalry, it’s still “One Love”. I would easily pack up shop and move to one of the other islands to live and work. I had a very short visit to Jamaica and I fell in love. I am a curry person, and their curry goat as well as bammy certainly tugged at my heartstrings. I’ve heard talk about how unsafe Jamaica is and while that may be true, I never experienced any of it. Some of my closest friends are Jamaicans and the others I’ve met, have been nothing but friendly and helpful. (educated Jamaican accents are my kryptonite).

I found Jamaica to be one of the few countries in the West Indies to hold on to their culture and traditions not frequently seen. Jamaicans are so passionate about sports and I can unashamedly say, they are THE MOST passionate and supportive sports fans in the region. Their highschool track and field competiton has more people than a Soca Warriors World Cup qualifier. Football is also a priority and the President of the West Indies Cricket Board is Jamaican. They’ve got their bases covered.

Photo by WICB Media/Kerrie Eversley

As I’ve said before and will continue to say, the one thing that brings the ENTIRE region together is WEST INDIES CRICKET. Though the regional team isn’t in the best position right now, there is an unwavering love for the game and significance of West Indies Cricket in the Caribbean. Some of us have nicer beaches, tastier foods, diverse cultures and ethnicity and national pride, but WI all have a common love for West Indies Cricket, so BELIEVE…..

“Rally…. NOW… and forever more….. Rally Round the West Indies”

New Kid on the Block

April 2016 and Ian Bishop was bellowing into the commentary mic “Carlos Brathwaite,…Remember the name!!!” A moment no West Indies cricket supporter or viewer of the ICC T20 World Cup will ever forget. But fast forward a few months and to a different setting, the Hero Caribbean Premier League in the West Indies, new talent was unearthed. Now I tell you….Remember the name Kesrick Williams.
Kesrick Omari Kenal Williams of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is my pick for the breakout West Indies star of 2016-2017. Carlos Brathwaite had World Cup heroics but Kesrick is the man with consistency. A relative unknown, he made his domestic debut with the Windward Islsnds in 2011 then transferred to the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the regional tournaments. However it was during Hero CPL 2016 that everyone took notice, particularly the West Indies Cricket Board and international T20 leagues. 
Kesrick was drafted by the Jamaica Tallawahs, playing in all 13 of the team’s matches and finishing the tournament as the Tallawahs highest wicket taker with 17 in total and third overall in the tournament. He got a call up as a replacement for Andre Russell on the West Indies T20 squad in the UAE for a 3-match series against Pakistan. Needless to say the rest is history.
He was once again selected into the Windies team to face Pakistan again in a home T20 series in the Caribbean. It turns out he was the most consistent bowler of all the Windies bowlers. The West Indies lost the series 3-1, but Kesrick’s career has certainly been bolstered by his successfully consistent performance. I know it’s going to be all upward mobility for this talented young cricketer. ​
I was fortunate to participate in an exclusive interview, done by the WICB with Kesrick about his rise and performance in international cricket.
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