KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago will be gunning for their second straight title when they face St Vincent and the Grenadines in the final of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Women’s 50-Overs League today.
T&T will be installed as heavy favourites for the game scheduled for Arnos Vale Playing Field 1, but SVG will be looking to capitalize on their home support in order to spring an upset.
Captain Anisa Mohammed said her Trinidadian side was highly motivated for the big game.
“We are hyped and we are ready to go. From the first ball we bowled in this tournament we were motivated to defend our title,” said Mohammed, a West Indies player.
“Everything is working well – the batting is clicking and the bowling is spot on. The advantage we have is that all our players have the ability to bat. In every game so far, someone different has stepped up with a big performance. We play as a team and we are not leaving the work to one person.”
Trinidad and Tobago played unbeaten to capture Zone B, beating SVG by 13 runs in the head-to-head contest. Despite their form, however, Mohammed played down T&T being favourites to win the final.
“We don’t think we’re favourites,” she stressed.
“We are playing in their country and they will have home support and they are familiar with the conditions. We will be going all out to win.”
The Vincentians had some tough battles on their way to the final and have demonstrated their depth with strong batting down the order.
Their varied bowling attack was also an asset as they finished second in Zone B to T&T.
“Every match has been like a final for us so we are used to playing under pressure. All I am asking of the girls is that they go out and play well and we are confident it will work out in our favour,” captain Cordell Jack said.
“Once we back ourselves we know we can do the job … just take it one ball at a time. The strength in this team is the teamwork. Most of the players have played at the Under-23 level when we dominated … we are maturing and playing excellent cricket.”
Neither squad has injury worries and both teams are expected to field their best XIs.
SQUADS:
SVG – Cordel Jack (captain), Phernel Charles (vice captain), Juliana Nero, Roshelle John, Sheree-Ann John, Melissa Bellingy, Samantha Lynch, Shanome Clarke, Clea Hoyte, Nicole Samuel, Terisha Lavia, Camille Garrick, Mishka George, Anesha Williams
T&T – Anisa Mohammed (captain), Kirbyina Alexander (vice captain), Alisa Mohammed, Whitney Cudjoe, Allison Collins, Shenelle Lord, Britney Cooper, Stacy-Ann King, Melissa Sandy, Gaitri Seetahal, Jerveena Pollucksingh, Janelle Samuel, Nicole George, Jovankha Simon.
