Guyanese Women cricketers deserve more opportunities in Windies colours

By Brandon Corlette

After a disastrous series against England in the United Kingdom, West Indies Women will have to examine themselves on their way back to the drawing board. The Caribbean Women team suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the One Day International (ODI) series, and lost the three- match T20 International series 1-0.
In four matches on that tour in England, no West Indian Women surpassed 100 runs in those four innings. Chedean Nation was the leading batter with a par 98; while Stacy Ann King scored 69 runs. Despite rain affecting the series, West Indies Women displayed a poor batting effort.
The first ODI saw England defeating West Indies by 208 runs, their largest defeat in history. Then the English registered a thumping 121-run defeat against West Indies in a match determined by the Duckworth-Lewis system. England then signed off with a 135-run win in that series, then went on to win the lone T20 match by 42 runs, as the others were abandoned because of rain.
In that tour to England, only one Guyanese wore the maroon colours, the seasoned Shemaine Campbelle. Like most on that tour, the Berbician failed, and even sat out the starting XI at times. Campbelle was among the most prolific batters in the Regional female tournaments earlier this year, where she scored 211 runs in the 50-over format at an average of 42.2, including a century against Jamaica.
In addition to Campbelle’s explosive work with the bat, Erva Giddings, her fellow Berbician, was easily the best seam bowler. Giddings, who bagged 10 wickets in the 50-over format and scored 70 runs in the lower order, should have been given her opportunity at the top level.
She has proven her consistency at the Regional level year after year, and with her left arm swing she would have been a great asset to the team, considering the English conditions.
Meanwhile, Sheneta Grimmond who was picked for the World T20 in the latter part of 2018, has not yet made it back to the West Indies Women squads after sustaining an injury on the buildup to the tournament. With Deandra Dottin ruled out with injury, Britney Cooper was her replacement. Cooper was tasked with an unfamiliar role, opening the batting along with Hayley Matthews.
Once an out-of-favour Windies player, Cooper scored 57 runs in her six innings on tour, struggling to adapt at the top of the innings. Meanwhile, Grimmond was in the training squad, and she is a specialist opener who would have quickly adapted to playing at the top of the innings.
The next Guyanese player who should have been given an opportunity on tour is Shabika Gajnabi. This young Berbician has been making great strides wearing the tag as the most promising female player in the Caribbean. Gajnabi has been involved in training camps, but is yet to be given her maiden opportunity in the final squad.
Guyanese female cricketers continue to hurt by this type of treatment. The experienced Tremayne Smartt, who is a good seam bowler, has proved her credentials with the bat in the Regional tournaments, but has not gained the opportunity for higher representation.
Cricket West Indies have promised to invest in Women’s cricket after captain Stafanie Taylor lashed out; these women require a fair opportunity in West Indies cricket. After that poor performance in England, changes must be made for the upcoming Home Series and the 2021 Women’s World Cup.