By Avenash Ramzan
Classy half-centuries from captain Shemaine Campbelle and opener Lashana Toussaint, followed by a disciplined bowling effort saw Guyana whipping the Leeward Islands by 96 runs in the fifth place playoff in the WICB Regional Women’s T20 competition at the National Stadium, Providence, on Monday.
Inserted to take first strike, Guyana took full advantage of some loose bowling by racing to 158-1 in 20 overs. When opener Melanie Henry was dismissed for one in the third over with just 11 runs on the board, Leeward Islands had wrested the early initiative, but Campbelle and Toussaint went on a rampage thereafter.
They right-handed pair proceeded to blast the islanders to all parts of the ground with a brilliant unbroken partnership of 147 in 17.5 overs. Campbelle, who has been playing senior cricket for Guyana since 2008, led the way with 70 off 53 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Toussaint made a run-a-ball 63 with five fours.
Off-spinner Plaffiana Millington then complemented the work of the batters by claiming three wickets, as the Leeward Islands folded for 62 in 16.2 overs. Millington, who is quickly building a reputation as a serious spin threat to opposition batters, ended with excellent figures of 3-7 from four overs.
West Indies player Erva Giddings claimed two wickets, while there was one apiece for Sabrina Munroe, Tremayne Smartt and Akaze Thompson.
After the game, Guyana’s coach Andre Percival said he was satisfied with the outcome, but was generally disappointed that the team didn’t finish the competition in a better position.
The competition will conclude on Monday with Barbados playing the Windward Islands in the third place playoff, which started at 14:00h, while Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica will clash in the final, set to start at 19:00h.
Cover photo caption: From left: Erva Giddings, Plaffiana Millington, Shemaine Campbelle and Lashana Toussaint (Photos by Avenash Ramzan)
