Shabika Gajnabi blistered an unbeaten double ton before rain had the final say in Berbice’s opening encounter of the Guyana Cricket Board/Superbet 50-over senior female Inter-County tournament, while Demerara decimated an unmatched Essequibo yesterday.
The out-of-favour West Indies all-rounder clobbered 215 not out as the defending champions raced to a mammoth 412 in 38 overs against the Select Under-19s before the rain forced an abandonment of the match at the Everest Cricket Club.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Berbice lost Mariam Samaroo for just eight with the score on 38, which brought Gajnabi to the middle.
The former national under-19 skipper then went on to forge an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 176 with Tremayne Smartt, who raced to 64 not out, which was laced with nine boundaries.
During her innings, Gajnabi carved 25 fours and six sixes and also added 141 for the third wicket with Sherika Campbelle (39) and 57 for the second wicket alongside Katina Mentore (25).
Under-19 spinner Jamie Campbelle picked up two for 76.
Meanwhile, at the Enmore Community Centre ground, Demerara defeated Essequibo by nine wickets in a one-sided affair.
Essequibo were invited to bat and were routed for 18, seven of which were extras, in just 13.3 overs.
Off-spinner Mandy Mangru led the routing, picking up five for two in 21 deliveries. The 19-year-old was supported by her skipper, Akaze Thompson, who returned three for nine in five overs.
Mangru returned to pilot the chase with six not out while Latoya Smith made seven not out as Demerara reached 21 for one in 3.2 overs.
Earlier at the launching of the tournament at Everest, Secretary of the GCB Anand Sanasie expressed his delight in SuperBet’s interest in sponsoring such an important component of cricket development. He said that the GCB continues to examine ways of advancing all aspects of cricket development, administration and promotion of the players and the game.
Sanasie emphasised that female cricket continues to be high on the GCB’s agenda and remarked that the Board’s new marketing committee has been very proactive in seeking corporate Guyana’s partnership in the growth of the sport.
He complimented SuperBet for their inaugural sponsorship, while indicating his hope for continued partnership. Sanasie hinted that SuperBet may be extending their sponsorship for the Guyana Women team in the upcoming CWI Regional Women Tournament.
Speaking on behalf of SuperBet, Marketing Assistant Nickoli Primo praised the GCB and he highlighted the company’s profound interest in collaborating on such a venture, which has immense potential to enhance the cricketing lives of those involved; the U-19 girls and senior female players. He indicated that the two entities have the capacities and abilities to transform the management of female cricket, to the extent that those participating females can reap great rewards.
