Red Force Divas do regional double
BRIJ PARASNATH Wednesday, July 27 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas are regional double- crowned champs following their victory over Jamaica in the grand finale of the WICB Women T20 series contested at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Monday evening.
In a thrilling encounter, the Red Force Divas fought bravely to triumph by two wickets with two balls remaining after they had Jamaica restricted to 100 for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
West Indies players Merissa Aguilleira and Anisa Mohammed forged a 39-run sixth wicket partnership that restored the Red Force Divas after they were struggling at 39 for five after 10.3 overs. It was a big task but skipper Aguilleira and Mohammed hit one six and four each as they took control of the proceedings and scored at a runa- ball to take the momentum from the Jamaicans.
However, both were dismissed in the space of a run with Aguilleira first to go bowled by her opposite number and WI colleague Stafanie Taylor for 26 scored off 28 balls while Mohammed was run out by Cedean Nation for 21 off 26 balls with TT 79 for five.
Earlier, the TT Red Force Divas suffered an immediate setback when opener Lee-ann Kirby was adjudged LBW to Nation for duck off the fourth ball of the first over.
There was more drama when Britney Cooper, the heroine in the World T20 semi-finals against New Zealand with a half century, failed to score after nine deliveries and was caught by wicketkeeper Tameka Sanford off Vanesa Watts to leave TT 19 for two after 4.3 overs.
Kirbyina Alexander made eight, LBW to Shanel Daley who also removed Reniece Boyce (18) who had shown positive intent and smashed three fours off seventeen balls. Four balls later the Jamaicans were celebrating having dismissed WI player Stacy-Ann King with only one run added to the team’s team total. King made zero and was caught by Roshana Outar off Watts.
But the experienced West Indies duo of Aguilleira and Mohammed averted disaster and revived the chase as they gradually rebuilt the platform to fight for victory.
After their dismissal at 78 and 79, Rachel Vincent was run out for three and the score 90 for eight with 19 overs completed.
Selene Oneil (11 not out) and Shenelle Lord who slammed a huge six (8 not out) were together when victory was achieved with two balls remaining.
WI captain Stafanie Taylor had won the toss and decided that her Jamaican compatriots would enjoy batting first. She also opened the innings with Jodian Morgan but both did not last too long at the crease. Morgan was caught by Cooper off Alexander for five while Taylor was clean bowled by Leeann Kirby for seven.
Anisa Mohammed and Shenelle Lord combined to knock over the middle-order with two wickets each which the Jamaicans tottering at 40 for six after 12.1 overs.
However, Chenella Henry (25 not out) and Tameka Sanford (33) featured in a 55-run seventh wicket partnership that made the contest a much more intriguing affair. Mohammed copped the “Player of the Match†award.
WICB Women T20 Awardees: Most Runs: 182 – Shemaine Campbelle (Guyana) Most Wickets: 9 – Anisa Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago), Shanel Daley (Jamaica), Erva Giddings (Guyana) Most Dismissals for a wicketkeeper: 5 – Merissa Aguilleira (Trinidad & Tobago), Tameka Sanford (Jamaica) Highest individual score: 70 not out – Shemaine Campbelle (Guyana) Best All-rounder: Stafanie Taylor (Jamaica) – 172 runs, 4 wickets
www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,231067.html 
