PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) - St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are going for their first ever West Indies women’s cricket title today when they tackle St Lucia in their last game in the West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation limited-overs championship.
Unbeaten SVG are on 13 points and enjoy a five-point lead over defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, who have played a game less.
A win over St Lucia at Barataria today -- after yesterday’s rest day -- will guarantee SVG the title and their coach Roxell John hopes his girls will be rewarded with the title for their hard work.
“I am very, very elated the girls have worked very hard,” John told CMC Sport.
After a rain-abandoned no-result in their scheduled opener against Trinidad and Tobago last Tuesday, SVG registered a four-game winning sequence, toppling Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, and Guyana.
John said SVG are showing “excellent team spirit” and good work ethic.
“They are working hard at what we’ve asked them to do. The girls are very hyped, they are very supportive of each other and from there you can see that when errors are made they push themselves even harder to correct those errors as soon as possible,” John said.
The St Lucians, aiming to rebound from Saturday’s loss to Trinidad and Tobago, won six consecutive league titles between 1997 and 2002 and are expected to be tough opposition for the high-riding Vincentians.
But John is not daunted by their neighbours’ rich record.
“The past is the past, we are playing present cricket, we are playing cricket today, it’s eleven against eleven,” he said.
“We know with St Lucia, everybody would regard them as one of the better teams but we play cricket on the day and not from past performances. We are going to go there and be positive, as we have been in the entire competition and look for a victory …,” John added.
Trinidad and Tobago, who play Barbados today, are still within reach of the title.
They will retain the title if they win their remaining two games -- against Barbados and Jamaica -- and SVG are beaten by St Lucia today.
In today’s third game, winless Jamaica will play Grenada.
Standings:
1. St Vincent & the Grenadines -- 13 points
2. Trinidad & Tobago -- 8
3. St Lucia -- 5
3. Guyana -- 5
5. Barbados -- 4
5. Grenada -- 4
7. Jamaica -- 2
Meanwhile, in matches played on Sunday, SVG successfully chased a 75-run target and rushed to 13 points in the championship standings, staying five ahead of defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, who defeated Grenada in their match.
In the day’s third game, Barbados recorded their first win of the tournament when they defeated Jamaica.
At Pierre Road, Guyana scored 75 all out off 32.1 overs against the Vincentians.
West Indies player Indomatie Goordial (12) was the top-scorer while slow bowler Cordell Jack wrecked the Guyana innings with four for nine off 9.1 overs.
SVG replied with 76 for five off 41.4 overs with a top-score of 18 from Sherrie John.
Zameda Samdally (2-7) was Guyana’s top bowler.
Trinidad and Tobago, who have played a game less than SVG, maintained their title hopes with a five-wicket win over Grenada at Gilbert Park.
Batting first, the Grenadians crashed to 55 all out off 31.4 overs against T&T’s talented young spinners.
Marlyn Nelson top-scored with 15, but the Spice Isle’s batting was tormented by 15-year-old off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who captured three for two off five overs with three maidens, and 18-year-old leg-spinner Jade Chadee, with three for eight off four overs.
Jamaica slumped to their third consecutive loss when Barbados beat them by two wickets at the Merry Boys Ground.
Paulette Rowe (18) top-scored in Jamaica’s score of 106 all out off 38.1 overs.
Maria Burnham picked up four for 25 to lead the bowling for Barbados, who then battled to a two-wicket win, finishing at 107 for eight off 38.5 overs.
Charlene Taitt (21) top-scored for Barbados, against Jamaica’s most successful bowler, Kadeth Kidd (2-7).