Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Female tournament… Accepting, achieving and adapting to conditions

– Trinidad confident of toppling Guyana
– Unity in competition displayed at
opening ceremony

By Brandon Corlette

It was the calm before the storm at the National Stadium at Providence on Saturday last when both teams, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, prepare to clash in their practice sessions. The rivalry between these two nations will commence from 9:30h local time today, Sunday March 17, 2019.
Speaking on the eve of the clash, Trinidad and Tobago duo Reniece Boyce and Rachel Vincent shared positive remarks heading into their opening match against hosts, Guyana. The Trinidad and Tobago Divas vice-captain Reniece Boyce said the mood in the camp is a positive one. Having played in Guyana in the past, and having won that tournament, the ladies in Red are confident of toppling Guyana in their opening round match.
Boyce explained that the Trinidad team is a well-balanced team in terms of youth and experience, with the likes of Captain Merissa Aguilleira and spin queen Anisa Mohammed. The conditions in Guyana and Trinidad are similar, and the Trinidadians see this as an advantage.
Rachel Vincent said the practice session has been a success. “Everyone gelled together, and each individual stuck to their game plan; bowers bowled in the right areas”, Vincent revealed. The conditions in Guyana will not affect the Trinidadians, Vincent said, as her teammates are familiar with these conditions, since their home conditions are similar.
The Trinidad team, a formidable-looking unit, has two newcomers in Mikaela Jodhan and Leandra Ramdeen. Caneisha Isaac is fresh from injury, and she will feature in a squad that includes veteran Windies players Merissa Aguilleira, Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper and Stacy Ann King.
Earlier this week, Guyana’s Head Coach Bharat Mangru declared the Guyana team confident of victory playing against Trinidad. He said the ladies are reminiscing on their triumph over this same opposition in 2018, when Trinidad were bowled out for 70-odd runs and Guyana won by seven wickets.
Team Guyana captain, Shemaine Campbelle, also spoke exclusively to this reporter at Enmore during the past week. She revealed that her players will be aiming to stick to the basics, since it is an essential ingredient for success throughout this regional tournament.
The Guyana team is well-equipped with spinners, but the Providence turner will assist both teams.

Opening ceremony
The Colonial Medical Insurance Super 50 Female tournament hosted their opening ceremony on Saturday last at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda.
At the sociable event on the eve of match day, players could be seen mingling with their Caribbean counterparts, which made a good showing for the unity that lies within female cricket.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Guyana Cricket Board Secretary and CWI Director Anand Sanasie shared positive remarks ahead of the tournament. Sanasie stated that since the ICC Stand-alone Women’s World T20, the female games have evolved. This tournament being hosted in Guyana is expected to be a cracker, with three matches scheduled in round one.
Team Guyana squad reads: Shemaine Campbelle (captain), Akaze Thompson (vice captain), Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffiana Millington, Lashuna Toussaint, Shebika Gajnabi, Cherry Ann Frazer, Mandy Mangru, Kaysia Schultz, Melanie Henry, Lafona Gilgeous, and Afruica Gentle. This team will be led by Manager Carol Nurse and Coach Bharrat Mangru.
Trinidad and Tobago team reads: Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Reniece Boyce (vice-captain), Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Lee Ann Kirby, Felicia Walters, Stacy Ann King, Shania Abdool, Samantha Bissoon, Caneisha Isaac, Rachel Vincent, Karishma Ramharack, Mikaela Jodhan, and Leandra Ramdeen.