Blucher silences crictics

Jean Blucher turned out to be one of the persons who played a critical role in this country regaining the West Indies Women’s Cricket League title.

Her performance though, came against a hail of criticism over her selection.

Batting in the middle order, Blucher scored 103 runs from four innings with two not outs.{{more}}

Her 56 not out against Jamaica earned her the accolade of the highest individual total in an innings scored by a Vincentian.

It was a welcome return for Blucher who had little action in last year’s competition held here.

Blucher who plays for local club JG Tigress, was lauded by coach Cleton Burnett who said he backed her selection by playing her.

Blucher’s aggregate of runs was second to West Indies player Julianna Nero. The stylish Nero who emerged the number four batsman from the Women’s World Cup held last year in South Africa totalled 117 runs from her four innings.

Sherri Ann John, who took seven wickets was St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ leading wicket taker. She was two away from the tournament’s joint leaders Sandra Clarke of Jamaica and Kirbyina Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also emerging from the tournament with talent to be harnessed was the glove work of Nicole Samuel. The young Vincentian caught the eyes of the regional selectors and is one of five from the champion team to gain places in the regional squad.

She joins compatriots Nero, Cordell Jack, Melissa Bellingy and Geneille Greaves, who are regular selectees.

Samuel had two catches and three stumpings and was also involved in six run outs.

Another find was 15-year-old Jamaican Stephanie Taylor. The teenager scored 236 at an average of 78.76, recording two half centuries.

Debbie Ann Lewis of Grenada was the lone bowler to take five wickets in an innings. She bagged 5 for 21 versus Barbados. Lewis also recorded the highest individual score 83, made against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.