SVG women fifth, as Jamaica take T/20 title

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) finished fifth, but it was host Jamaica that lifted the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board Women’s T/20 Cricket Tournament, which ended on Saturday in Jamaica.{{more}}

The Vincentians, after faltering in their must win situation against Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados, then had to settle for the consolation play-off spot of fifth place, last Saturday, as they downed Grenada by 20 runs at Kensington Park.

Cordel Jack, the most consistent player for SVG, hit 49 not out, in her team’s total of 116 for 4 from the allotted 20 overs.

Jack then returned 2 for 20, as Grenada was restricted to 96 for 3 from their 20 overs.

Debbie Ann Lewis made 36 not out, and Anisha Thomas, 32, to be the Grenadians’ principal scorers with the bat.

Jack, the Vincentians’ captain, was her team’s stand out player, as she tallied 268 runs from eight innings, and scalped 10 wickets.

She earned three player-of-the-match awards.

Jack, overlooked by regional selectors for the past year and a half, sent message to them that she has batting ability.

In the title match played at the Sabina Park, the world rated Stafanie Taylor was in sublime form, as she piloted her team to a 16-run win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Taylor led with 57 not out, as Jamaica scored 101 for 5 from their 20 overs.

She then grabbed 4 for 9, as Trinidad and Tobago’s reply halted at 85 all out in 18.2 overs.

Aiding in the demise of the Trinidadian batting were Shanel Daley, who had 3 for 13, and Vanessa Watts, who took 2 for 15.

Taylor earned the Player of the Match award and was also voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

In the consolation final, Barbados beat Guyana by 7 wickets to take the third spot.

Batting first, Guyana was derailed by the bowling of Pamela Lavine 3 for 13 and Shaquana Quintyne 2 for 13, and managed 88 for 7 from their maximum 20 overs. June Ogle topscored with 30.

Barbados responded with 89 for 3 off 17.3 overs.

And, in the minor playoff for the seventh and eighth places, St. Lucia defeated Dominica by 9 runs.

St Lucia made 97 for 7 off 20 overs. Paulina Francis struck 31. Annica Benjamin with 4 for 22, was the pick of the Dominican bowlers.

In reply, Dominica reached 88 for 8. Bowling for St Lucia, Chemeka Abraham took 2 for 10, Yasmine St. Ange, 2 for 3, and Verena Felicien, 2 for 20.

A West Indies team will be selected to compete in the ICC women’s T-20 World Cup, set for Sri Lanka in September.

The West Indies has been drawn in Group B. (RT)