Guyana aiming for better record as tournament opens at Providence

WICB Regional Women’s T20 Championships 2016…

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

Guyana women’s team is eager to improve their regional record in when they take on the Leeward Islands today when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Women’s T20 Championships bowls off at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Three matches are slated for today all at the same venue which is a change from the just concluded Super 50 where three venues were used and only four of the 16 scheduled matches were possible. With matches scheduled for the international venue this time more cricket action is anticipated for all of the teams given the fact that Providence drains and dries quickly and matches are less likely to be decided by rain.
Last year’s T20 runners-up Guyana will be using home advantage to go one step further this year. On the eve of their opening match against debutants the Leeward Island the hosts were seen going through paces at the Providence on Wednesday.

After the practice session, Guyana’s Coach Andre Percival spoke to Guyana Times Sport and lauded the work put in by his team to better their game.
“During the training, we are here trying to get the batting right. The batting has been our main downfall in the past and will need to support the bowlers and fielders who are doing their job well. If we are to get this batting right we are in with a very good chance.”
However, Percival highlighted that Providence is no easy track to bat on as was evident during the recent Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches where batters had to dig in while showing patience and technique to score.
“When it comes to batting I think the ladies will have to work harder than on the other pitches in the Caribbean because the pitch is not too firm and the ball does not come on to the bat but if the bowlers are to capitalize, they will need to get the balls in the right spots and leave it up to the batters to make mistakes.”
In 2014, the Guyana Women finished fourth while last year they made it to the finals of the tournament only to be halted by the ladies from Jamaica. This year Percival’s Women will be looking to improve on that and walk away overall winners.
Percival indicated that the Leeward Island girls are not to be underestimated despite playing for the first time as ‘team Leewards.’ In previous competitions the individual territories played while this year they are joined to form the bigger unit of the Leeward Islands.
Leeward Island will be led by Antiguan pacer Shawnisha Hector and their squad includes Saneldo Willett, daughter of former West Indies off-spinner Elquemedo Willett, whose sons Tonito and Akito have also played at the regional level.
The curtain raiser is at 09:00h between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago which will be followed by the matchup between defending champions Jamaica and the Windward Islands at 14:00h. Guyana will then take on the Leewards in the final match of the day beginning at 19:00h under the lights.
Squads:
BARBADOS: Shaquana Quintyne (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Allison Gordon, Reshelle Griffith, Malissa Howard, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Shakera Selman, Charlene Taitt, , Shanna Thompson, Tiffany Thorpe.
GUYANA: Tremayne Smartt (captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Mandy Mangru, Plaffiana Millington, Subrina Munroe, Kaysia Shultz, Heema Singh, Latoya Smith, Akaze Thompson, Lashuna Toussaint, Kavita Yadram.
JAMAICA: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Alecia Bookal, Shanel Daley, Keneshia Ferron, Chinelle Henry, Corrine, Howell, Natasha McLean, Jodian Morgan, Chedean Nation, Roshana Outar, Tameka Sanford, Jerona Walcott, Vanessa Watts, Rashada Williams.
LEEWARD ISLANDS: Shawnisha Hector (captain), Jasmine Clarke, Melicia Clarke, Davanna Claxton, Kimberly Dookhan, Amanda Edwards, Sherma Jackson, Rozel Liburd, Terez Parker, Grace Persaud, Kerisha Powell, Jenisen Richards, Eldora Sylvester, Saneldo Willett.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Kirbyina Alexander, Reniece Boyce, Britney Cooper, Rosalie Dolabaille, Stacy Ann King, Lee Ann Kirby, Shenelle Lord, Anisa Mohammed, Selene O’Neil, Kamara Ragoobar, Karishma Ramharack, Amanda Samaroo, Rachael Vincent.
WINDWARD ISLANDS: Afy Fletcher (captain), Stacy Ann Adams, Holly Charles, Roylyn Cooper, Nerissa Crafton, Krisani Irish, Qiana Joseph, Juliana Nero, Akeira Peters, Rosilia Registe, Yasmine St. Ange, Glendeen Turtin, Rackel Williams, Swayline Williams.