Yet to register a complete performance, Guyana, Jamaica set to battle

CWI Women’s T20 Blaze…

By Brandon Corlette

Guyana are fresh from a 23-run win over the Leeward Islands in the ongoing T20 Blaze tournament; and led by Captain Shemaine Campbelle, will play Jamaica in the third round today, Sunday March 31, from 9:00h local time at Providence.
In the first round, Guyana suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago; and although they expectedly defeated the Leeward Islands, it was not a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
Speaking after Guyana’s victory over the Leeward Islands, Captain Shemaine Campbelle said the team needed to continue working positively and tightening the batting area. “The work has been done in the nets, but the execution in the match has been the area of concern for the batters”, Campbelle explained.
Heading into the clash against a better opposition in Jamaica, Campbelle stated from the inception that sticking to the basics will see the Guyanese win matches.
The most complete batter in the team, Campbelle continued from where she left off in the Super50 tournament, scoring 211 runs. In the first two T20 matches, she has scored 108 runs with the bat.
In both of the T20 Blaze matches, Guyana batted first, and it was obvious that they lacked the intensity needed in the shorter format of cricket. Playing against Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana amassed 157-4 in 20 overs, thanks to a sparkling unbeaten 77 from Campbelle.
The opening batters Sheneta Grimmond and Tremayne Smartt has chipped in with contributions, but the middle order, with the exception of Campbelle, remains unstable.
The bowling has been disciplined on most occasions, with Erva Giddings leading the charge and the spinners playing their role.
In the first match, the fielding had been atrocious, but signs of improvement were shown in the second match against the Leeward Islands: Melanie Henry taking the gloves and effecting a stump out, the team’s electric ground fielding, and Sheneta Grimmond’s top catch in round 2. If the Guyanese put up a complete performance, they will fancy their chances to beat Jamaica in today’s encounter.
Meanwhile, Jamaica are the defending champions of the T20 Blaze tournament, and after a humiliating defeat in their second round to Barbados, they will be eager to get back to their winning ways. Playing against Barbados, the Jamaicans had a poor outing with the bat when they were bowled out for 95. In overcast conditions, the Jamaicans were unable to deal with the swing of Shanika Bruce and the spin of Hayley Matthews.
The likes of Windies Women’s players Stafanie Taylor, Natasha McLean and Chedean Nation would want to press the reboot button and score runs with the bat in different conditions.
Jamaica, who defeated Windward Islands in their opening round, had a slow start with the bat, but the openers in Jodian Morgan and Natasha McLean pressed on to score quickly.
Jamaica will fancy their chances to win against Guyana playing in their first day fixture in the T20 Blaze tournament. The first of the three matches between these two opponents will commence from 9:00h local time. Admission to the ground is free of cost.