By Marlon Munroe
The top teams contesting today’s semi-finals of the WICB Senior Women’s Challenge 50-over tournament have showed no signs of letting up until the tournament concludes tomorrow.
Captain of front-runners Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) Marisa Aguilera and captain of defending champions Jamaica Herma Nathan-Dawes both said prior to the tournament that they will not be underestimating any team but will assess each one and take one game at a time.
T&T have won all three of their preliminary games while Jamaica have won two games and had one washed out by rain.
Jamaica and particularly T&T have been clinical in the disposal of their opponents. However, the efforts of Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Group A and B runners-up, cannot be dismissed because they stuck to the fundamentals of the game to reach this juncture.
Jamaica will play St. Vincent at Everest while T&T will clash with Barbados over at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC)ground.
In this competition the teams that have kept their nerve under pressure and held their catches while giving away the least extras have emerged victorious.
These teams have proved throughout the tournament that ground fielding and composure are key components to restricting opposing teams and eventually winning a match.
In the batting department, T&T appear to have the strongest lineup starting with Amanda Samaroo and Sharda Saroop or Devika Singh, all technically correct and run scorers, setting the platform for the rest of the innings. Down in the middle order there is Britney Cooper along with all rounders Stacy-Ann King and Gaitri Seetahal.
Barbados have in their lineup the lone centurion of the tournament, the stylish and talented Pamela Lavine who will receive valuable support from Deandra Dottin, Danielle Small, their captain at the top of the order, and Michelle Ellis.
What was also evident throughout the tournament was that some of the teams, especially the four going into today’s games, have had late partnerships. Jamaica, Barbados and St. Vincent have benefited from these lower order partnerships.
Jamaica also have a good opening pair of batters with their captain Nathan-Dawes and Jodian Morgan, despite their rollercoaster performances in the tournament. They also have the services of the stylish left handed batter Shanel Daley, Chedean Nation, their wicketkeeper/batter Tameka Sanford and the hard-hitting Chinelle Henry further down the order.
For St. Vincent, Cordel Jack has been consistent along with Samantha Lynch, Juliana Nero and Clea Hoyte in the order.
In Jamaica’s bowling lineup medium pacers Peta-Gaye Hanson and Carla Cohen have been regular features when it comes to restricting teams and picking up early wickets. Off spinners Roshana Outar and Vanessa Watts will also prove vital since many of the batters have had problems playing spin in the tourney.
The spin twins of T&T Anisa and Alisa Mohammed, along with the energetic medium pacer Kirbyina Alexander, and Stacy-Ann King will provide the twin island’s foundation.
Barbados’ Charlene Taitt with figures of 5-3 against Dominica will get help from Lavine and Small. St. Vincent’s opening bowler Phernel Charles and captain Sheree-Ann John have looked threatening throughout the tournament.
