The West Indies under-19 women’s cricketers showcased an impressive performance to level their five-match Twenty/20 series against USA on a rainy day at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, UWI, St Augustine.
After a disappointing first T20 match where they were restricted to 69 runs, the West Indies youngsters came back strong to bowl out the visitors for just 65 runs. Led by opening bowler Selena Ross and Kenika Cassar, the Windies’ bowling attack dominated the US batters, leaving them struggling at 32 for six in the first ten overs.
Anika Kolan was one of the few US players to reach double figures, with Sasha Vallabhaneni top-scoring with 22 runs before being run out. Trisha Hardat, the leading wicket-taker in the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championships, impressed with figures of two for 18.
Despite a brief rain delay, the West Indies chased down the target comfortably, with Naijanni Cumberbatch playing a vital role with an unbeaten 26 off 27 balls. Cumberbatch’s partnership with Asabi Callender and Brianna Harricharan helped the Windies secure an eight-wicket victory with 39 balls to spare.
Off-spinner Aditi Chudasama was the lone wicket-taker for the US in the second match, grabbing the scalps of Callender and Windies captain Samara Ramnath. With another match scheduled for July 24 in St Augustine, the West Indies under-19 women are looking to continue their winning momentum.
Summarised scores:
USA under-19 women: 65 all out (Sasha Vallabhaneni 22; Selena Ross 2/8, Kenika Cassar 2/17, Trisha Hardat 2/18)
West Indies under-19 women: 69/2 in 13.3 overs (Naijanni Cumberbatch 26 not out, Asabi Callender 20; Aditi Chudasama 2/19)
West Indies won by 8 wickets.
