Smartt, Fraser and Campbelle guide Guyana into Super50 semi-final

By Avenash Ramzan

avenash@newsroom.gy

A superb bowling performance from new-ball pair Tremayne Smartt and Cherry-Ann Fraser was backed up by another solid innings from skipper Shemaine Campbelle as Guyana defeated Leeward Islands by eight wickets to book a spot in the semi-finals of the Cricket West Indies CG United Women’s Super50 Cup on Tuesday.

Playing at the National Stadium, Providence, Guyana limited the Leeward Islands to 76 all out in 29.5 overs before racing to the target in just 14.3 overs.

With the victory, Guyana joined defending champions Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-finals, which get underway on Wednesday at the same venue.

Semi-final one on Wednesday will pit Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, while semi-final two on Thursday will feature Guyana and T20 Blaze champions Jamaica.

The Smartt and Fraser show

Leeward Islands won the toss and opted to bat first, and that decision immediately backfired as they ran into the rampant combination of experience and youth in Smartt and Fraser.

Smartt, 36, rocked the top-order with four wickets, and 22-year-old Fraser picked up three as the islanders crashed to 18-7 by the 11^th over.

It took a fighting effort from the Leewards’ tailenders to avoid total humiliation. Terez Parker was the lone batter to get into double-figures with 22, as extras were 27.

Smartt produced outstanding figures of 10-2-12-4, bowling with nagging accuracy.

Fraser, playing for the first time since a knee injury curtailed her participation in the preceding T20 Blaze, produced figures of 8-1-19-3 and an impressive new-ball spell.

Mandy Mangru (1-0), Sheneta Grimmond (1-4) and Plaffiana Millington (1-14) were the other wicket-takers.

In reply, openers Katana Mentore and Mangru gave Guyana start of 20 in 5.2 overs before Mangru was dismissed for three. Mentore was then run out for 16 off 21 (3x4s) at 41-2 in the 10^th over.

Campbelle and her deputy Shabika Gajnabi then steered Guyana safely to victory, and a place in the final four.

Campbelle, Guyana’s most experienced batter, ended on 30 off 35 (4x4s), while her West Indies counterpart Gajnabi was not out on 14 off 12 (2x4s).

Remaining Super50 schedule

Wednesday (June 22)- Semi-final one, Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago

Thursday (June 23)- Semi-final two, Guyana vs Jamaica

Friday (June 24)- Fifth place playoff, Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands

Saturday (June 25)- Final

All matches are being held at the National Stadium, Providence, from 09:30h each day.

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