Defending champions, Berbice were rocketed to an eight-wicket win with their captain, Tremayne Smartt picking up a five wicket haul against Guyana Cricket Board Select Under-19 at Georgetown Cricket Club in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board Senior Female Inter-County tournament yesterday.
After a half hour delay to the start of the match due to the absence of an umpire and issues with the bowler’s run up on the pitch, Under-19 skipper, Shabika Gajnabi won the toss and elected to bat first where they were skittled out for a dismal 56 in 28 overs while Berbice require just 13 overs to reach 57-2 in 13 overs.
Casey Charles was the first to depart when left arm seamer, Erva Giddings flattened her stumps as she attempted a reckless swing for just four runs.
Gajnabi joined Mandy Mangru as the pair looked to defy the opening pair of discarded West Indies duo, Giddings and Subrina Munore but the captain was trapped leg before wicket, paving the way for Smartt to rip through the middle order. Cherry-Ann Fraser, who was dropped on duck failed to convert as she became Smartt’s first victim while Chitra Mohabir followed off the next delivery.
Mangru, who looked composed pushed on a full delivery from Smartt into the hands of Giddings at short mid off for a top score of 17 from 47 balls.
Smartt’s 5-9 from seven overs was supported by Sherica Campbelle with 2-21 along with Giddings and Munroe with one wicket each.
In the chase, Melanie Henry powered her side across the line with an unbeaten 26 consisting of three boundaries, two of which were picked off the hip and into the fine leg boundary from Fraser. Henry was supported by Sheneta Grimmond (13) who muscled Mangru’s off break into the mid wicket boundary on two occasions before she strayed out of her crease only to be run out by sharp work from the wicket keeper, Omadevi Matadin with her side needing just four runs to win.
Smartt after the match told this publication that it was a good bowling performance from her side but noted that the girls from the opposition showed alot of potential.
