In-form Berbice, newbies Essequibo square off in opener

Berbice will commence their title defence against an inexperienced Essequibo side in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board Women’s Senior T20 tourney which bowls off on Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
Having retained their 50-Over title in Wednesday’s final against Demerara, Berbice will come into the T20s with a clear advantage over the two sides due to their performances in the previous series.
The Berbician stars, Guyana and Windies all-rounder Erva Giddings and her international teammate skipper Tremayne Smartt, proved that their experience and skills were far above even the most skilled ladies in the competition. With her left-arm pace and pugnacious batting ability, Giddings bagged an MVP award versus Essequibo in round two of the 50-Over tournament, claiming a 5-for and hitting 45 not out to take her side into the finals.

In the previous match, against Demerara, Smartt tapped into her experience and claimed the MVP award in finals for her returns of 3-12 and 12 not out in a successful chase, which helped Berbice retain the title by a whopping 50 runs.
Although the weather reduced a few of the mandatory allotted overs in the last tournament, the pressure still fell upon Essequibo, who are in the midst of a rebuilding/transition phase. That phase saw them being rattled by 8 wicket and 161 runs respectively in the One-Dayers.
Their new head coach, Ryan Hercules, has said the team has a long way to go, and most of its players have little or no cricket experience; but he expects them to learn fast, as they are talented.
Having recorded lacklustre performances in the last competition, it will be interesting to see their approach in the shortest version of the game.
Berbice, on the other hand, will fancy their chances in the T20s, especially with the form of their two star players, Smartt and Giddings. Senika Campbell, who bowled well a few days ago, openers Shenita Grimmond and Melanie Henry, and middle-order batter Katana Mentore have been in prime form over the past few games, and could take full advantage of the fewer overs.
Action in round one is set to bowl off at 10:00h, weather permitting. (Clifton Ross)