TT Under-23 cricketers brush off Bajan women

KINGSTOWN: St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Trinidad and Tobago continued their winning ways in the 2004 West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF) Under-23 cricket championship with wins on Sunday. SVG, in search of a third straight title, made light work of St Lucia by completing an eight wicket win, while TT knocked off Barbados also by eight wickets, as both teams achieved 2-0 records. Jamaica also rebounded from their loss to TT on Saturday by also recording a comfortable victory.

At Stubbs, the St Lucians, who won the toss and elected to bat, fell for 35 in 22.2 overs as local stars Melissa Bellingy (5-7) and Clea Hoyte (2-13) proved too much.  Only Maria David, who batted at number four, looked capable in her unbeaten 16 for the St Lucians, who had lost  their opening match to Barbados on Saturday. Six batters failed to trouble the scorers.  The Vincentians then completed victory in 8.2 overs at 36 for two. Trinidad and Tobago on the back of their spin arsenal, easily disposed of Barbados by eight wickets at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field.  After being asked to bat, the Barbadians were mesmerised by the leg-spinning trio of Jade Chadee (4-12), Anisa Mohammed (3-9) and Alisa Mohammed (2-5) and fell for 52 in 31.2 overs.

Kycia Knight made 15 and there were 25 extras.  The Trinidadians duly reached their target, ending on 53 for two off the final ball of the 18th over.  Captain Sihle Wilson was unbeaten on 17. And Jamaica, powered by a good allround performance by Paulette Rowe, recorded the most impressive triumph after trouncing Grenada by nine wickets at the Arnos Vale-2 Ground.  Batting first Grenada, who were dismissed for 38 by SVG on day one, showed improvement to reach 79 all out in 34.1 overs with Afy Fletcher hitting the top-score of 24. Extras contributed 34, 29 of which were wides.

Chedaen Nation, with three for five from eight overs, and Rowe (2-10) took the honours with the ball.  The Jamaicans then rushed to victory, reaching 82 for one in 17.3 overs with Rowe hitting a breezy unbeaten 34, which included six fours off 39 balls. Yesterday was a rest day and when the tournament resumes today when Jamaica will oppose St  Lucia at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field; SVG take on Barbados at Arnos Vale-2; and Trinidad and Tobago meet Grenada at the Stubbs Playing Field.