ST JOHN’S – Table leaders Trinidad and Tobago and second-placed Barbados have set up a mouthwatering clash in the final preliminary round of the Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship after winning their respective matches in Antigua on Wednesday.
T&T romped to their fourth straight win after rolling over the Leeward Islands, who finished runners-up last year, by eight wickets, while defending champion Barbados edged Jamaica by six runs in a thrilling contest.
At Coolidge Cricket Ground: T&T, who placed third in the previous edition, sealed their spot in Saturday’s final by crushing the Leeward Islands by eight wickets in a lopsided contest.
Spinner Samara Ramnath continued her impressive wicket-taking form, with her four-wicket haul helping to bundle out the Leeward Islands for just 50 in 16.2 overs, after they elected to bat first.
Ramnath, who entered the penultimate round of matches as the leading wicket taker with 15 wickets, ran through the Leeward Islands’ lower order, ending with the impressive figures of 4-3 from 2.2 overs, while her spinning partner Brianna Harricharan grabbed 3-15.
The Leeward Islands never recovered after Harricharan claimed the wickets of captain Aaliyah Weekes, opener Zara Skerritt and Cquinya Dasent, to reduce them to 23 for five after nine overs.
Skerritt and Lois George, who both scored 12, and Kerranique Skeete, who made 10, were the only batters to get into double figures.
T&T then breezed to 52 for two in 13.2 overs to complete their fourth win in as many matches, with Amrita Ramtahal scoring an unbeaten 17.
T&T will meet Barbados for bragging rights in their final preliminary match on Friday, with both sides already assured a spot in the final.
At Liberta Sports Club: Defending champions Barbados Women were made to fight until the last ball to secure a tense six-wicket victory over Jamaica Women.
After being sent in to bat, Barbados Women compiled 102 for eight in their 20 overs.
It was a far cry from their impressive batting performance in the previous round that saw them rack up a record breaking 206 for two against the Leeward Islands Women.
This time around, they were led by Zaniya Bruce’s knock of 30 off 35 balls, with Jamis Morris-Alleyne, who contributed 10 runs, being the only other double-digit contributor.
The pair added 44 runs to help rescue their team after they had slipped to 21 for three early on.
Jamaica Women did themselves no favours by gifting Barbados Women 23 extra, inclusive of 16 wides.
Davehjah Brown (3-10) and Brianna Plummer (2-20), were Jamaica Women’s best bowlers.
Jamaica Women then fell agonisingly short in their run chase, finishing on 96 for nine at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
They too were assisted by Barbados’ 25 extras, but they shot themselves in the foot with five of their nine batters being dismissed by the run out route.
Adanya Baugh hit an unbeaten 14, Sashane Ricketts scored 13, with Shamara Hall and Zariah Blair each scoring 10 runs.
It was Barbados’ third win in four matches and carried them to nine points – one less than T&T – with one round of matches to go.
CMC
Round four results
At Coolidge Cricket Ground: Trinidad & Tobago Women defeated Leeward Islands Women by eight wickets.
LEEWARD ISLANDS WOMEN 50 in 16.2 overs (Zara Skerritt 12, Lois George 12, Kerranique Skeete 10 not out; Samara Ramnath 4-3, Brianna Harricharan 3-15) vs T&T WOMEN 52-2 in 13.2 overs (Amrita Ramtahal 17 not out).
At Liberta Sports Club: Barbados Women defeated Jamaica Women by six runs.
BARBADOS WOMEN 102-8 in 20 overs (Zaniyah Bruce 30, Jamis Morris-Alleyne 10; Davehjah Brown 3-10, Brianna Plummer 2-20) vs JAMAICA WOMEN 96-9 in 20 overs (Adanya Baugh 14 not out, Sashane Ricketts 13, Shamara Hall 10, Zariah Blair 10).
