As Cricket West Indies Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup gets underway, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago will headline the opening round at the National Stadium, Providence today.
Both teams were seen in ‘business mode’ during their final training session at the venue yesterday with representatives of both sides expressing confidence heading into the clash.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport after a net session, newly appointed vice-captain of the Twin Island Republic, Reniece Boyce said the team is in high spirits.
“The mood for the ladies is very good at the moment, we are positive and confident,” she said adding that the team was very motivated to win this tournament having copped the title back in 2016 when it was hosted in Guyana.
The 21-year-old West Indies player explained that Trinidad and Tobago is “very strong” and she credited the mixture of youth and experience as the right balance to the side.
The team will see the presence of newcomers, all-rounder, Makaela Jodhan and off-spinner, Leandra Ramdeen as well as the return of Samantha Bissoon and Caneisha Isaacs.
The team will be led by regular skipper, Merissa Aguilleira with the rest of the team reading, Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Lee Ann Kirby, Felicia Walters, Stacy Ann King, Shania Abdool, Rachel Vincent and Karishma Ramharack
Boyce related that the conditions in Guyana and the Providence Stadium is similar to Trinidad and will serve as an advantage to the former champions and brushed off the ‘favourites’ tag from Guyana, stating “it doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, we have one goal and that is winning.”
She was, however, cognizant of the challenges, saying “the first game is all about accepting the conditions, adapting and achieving.”
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Head Coach, Bharrat Mangru shared similar views of his team with the inclusion of seasoned campaigners but stated that the team stands with an advantage with a core of the youngsters being below 22 years.
Mangru said he was pleased with the results from their training sessions and pointed out that the team is cohesive and works as a family.
The Level Three coach also indicated that it is all up to the girls to go out there and execute well while sticking to their training and using their instincts.
Mangru singled out the captain, West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle as a positive leader and influence to the women but reflected on the experience of Tremayne Smartt and Erva Giddings with West Indies experience as well as Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi who have been regulars in West Indies training camps.
The head coach was also positive with the young up and coming talents such as Afrucia Gentle, Lafiona Gilgeous, Kaycia Schultz, Mandy Mangru, Cherry-Ann Fraser and seasoned players in the form of Plaffina Millington, Akaze Thompson, Melanie Henry and Lashaunna Toussaint.
