By Marlon Munroe
Members of the female national cricket team yesterday exuded confidence before the team’s warm-up session at the GNIC cricket ground that they have the winning formula to lift the WICB Senior Women’s Challenge 50-over trophy when the tournament bowls off tomorrow in Guyana.
Coach Michael Hyles emphasized that the team is prepared both mentally and physically despite only having nine days to get ready for the tournament. In addition, he stated that while the time for preparation was “inadequate”, team spirit is still high and the women are dedicated to their tasks ahead of the tournament.
“The time was very short; we had nine days and then we had to break camp because of a few illnesses, mainly minor niggles, but it was decided that the girls go home to rest then come back and regroup”.
“Their spirits are very high and they are willing to go 110% to win because they are a confident bunch of girls”, Hyles explained.
Hyles, while cognizant of the girls’ confidence ahead of the tournament, said the management team has been constantly instilling in the team the need for personal discipline. More especially, because the women will not be competing among themselves as was the case with the recently-concluded inter-county tournament.
He also welcomed the fact that the team is mostly made up of allrounders which will provide the balance they need when they play Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) on Sunday at the Police ground. Guyana is drawn in the Zone B pool along with T&T, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
Meanwhile, batting all-rounder Shemaine Campbell, who also bowls right arm leg spin, emphasized that the team will be going out to play positive cricket especially since she feels that the physical preparation has been “good”. The talented cricketer from Berbice said that during the team’s encampment they have learnt many new techniques that will benefit them in the series.
She reported that the coaching staff focused a lot on the running between the wickets and they conducted many hours of spot bowling. This approach was taken because during the senior inter-county tournament too many wides were bowled in the opinion of the coach.
According to Hyles, the long hours spent on spot bowling was instituted because the women use a much lighter ball than the men and it tends to swing more especially when the wind is a bit heavier. Therefore, it was necessary for the bowlers to correct this flaw with spot bowling.
The dangerous Demerara right arm off-spinner, Davanie Seenarine, who can also bat, also echoed the sentiments of Hyles and Campbell that preparations are winding down smoothly. After her exploits in the inter-county championships that ensured Demerara retained their title, she said that she will be looking to continue her impressive form throughout the tournament as she is working on all aspects of her game for Guyana to come out successfully.
She stated that while the time for preparation was not enough “the team is trying their best with what has been done because everyone is trying their best before the tournament”.
In-form medium pacer Joann Vansertima, while acknowledging that preparations are good, said the training facility should have been prepared in a timelier manner. According to a source the ground was being cut for some of the regional teams that will be using the facility.
She feels that facilities should have been better especially since Guyana is hosting the tournament. However, she said that she is physically and mentally fit and that the team has high hopes going into the tournament.
Guyana’s team reads: Shemaine Campbell, Davanie Seenarine, June Thomas, Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Zaheeda Samdally, Prudence Williams, Katana Mentore, Subrino Munroe, Darleyne Gale, Joann Vansertima, Olivia O’Selmo, Tracey Glasgow and Kumarie Persaud. Coach- Michael Hyles and Manager- Maylene Ramdular.