T&T lift title as reigning champions finish last

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago crowned themselves champions of the Regional Under-19 Girls’ Twenty20 Invitational Championship when they easily disposed of Windward Islands in the final here yesterday.

Playing at the National Cricket Centre, the hosts reached 101 for four from their 20 overs and then restricted the visitors to 74 for eight, to pull off an uncomplicated 27-run victory.

In the consolation final, reigning champions Barbados slumped to a seven-wicket loss to Guyana at Gilbert Park, to finish last in the four-team tournament.

Captain Hayley Matthews top-scored for Barbados in a losing effort.

At the NCC, T&T rattled up 101 for four off their 20 overs, after being sent in. They were floundering at seven for two and then 33 for three before Kamara Ragoobar struck an unbeaten 36 and Leandra Ramdeen, 28, to revive the innings with a 46-run fourth wicket stand.

In reply, the Windwards struggled from the outset, and only captain Nerissa Crafton with a top score of 21 from 27 balls with two fours, showed any resistance.

Reanna Farrow was the best bowler with three for 17 while Ramdeen completed a solid all-round performance with two for 18.

At Gilbert Park, West Indies Women’s team opener and Barbados captain, Hayley Matthews, struck 21 from 33 deliveries as Barbados limped to 61 for nine after being sent in.

Mandy Mangru picked up three for eight while Plaffiana Millington (2-6) and Sheneta Grimmond (2-9) finished with two wickets apiece.

In their turn at the crease, Guyana got an unbeaten 26 off 27 balls from Shabika Gajnabi as they reached their target in the 16th over.