THE Guyana Under-19 female squad departed yesterday morning to compete in the Regional Under-19 Invitational Women’s Twenty20 Tournament which is scheduled to start today in Trinidad and Tobago and end on Saturday.The Guyana team is being sponsored by Top Brandz Distributors. The team went through a six-day camp where the twenty-two players stayed at the GCB Training Facility in LBI on the East Coast.
Present at the team’s departure yesterday was the Chief Executive Officer of Top Brandz Distrinutors, Wayne James, who wished them success on the tour. He stated that he was priv ileged to be associated with the development of cricket and noted that development starts with the youths.
Also present was Territorial Development Officer of GCB, Colin Stuart. Stuart congratulated the girls on making the national squad.
James also reminded the players that others would have loved to be in their shoes. He thanked them for their eagerness to learn and grow during the camp period and underscored they should perform when it matters.
“Your best is what is required and the GCB asks for nothing more … we are convinced that performing at your best will bring us regional victory.”
He finished by stating that incentives for allround performances, and include gaining a structured path in cricket since women cricket is growing in professionalism.
Hosts Trinidad and Tobago will open the three-team Invitational Regional Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 tournament today against the Windward Islands at Gilbert Park in California, from 09.30hrs.
The hosts will actually play twice on the opening day, taking on Guyana at the same venue from 14.30hrs. T&T are fielding a strong team that includes Kamara Ragoobar. Reanna Farrow and Reniece Boyce.
Barbados, the other team competing in the tournament, will have West Indies Women’s World Cup hero Hayley Mathews in their ranks.
The tournament is geared towards the continuous development of upcoming players, to give them an opportunity to showcase their talent. The competition will also serve to expose players to competition at the highest level.
Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, had visited the ladies during their practice sessions at GCC ground in Bourda and was highly impressed with their eagerness to compete.
He wished them an injury-free tournament and urged them to be professionals and represent their country well, noting that this exposure would definitely boost their cricket development.
The Guyana squad reads: Mandy Mangru (captain), Plaffiana Millington (vice-captain), Deborah Vanderstoop, Sheneta Grimmond, Amanda Persaud, Shabika Gajnabi, Kaysia Shultz, Lafona Gilgeous, Aleema Arokium (wicketkeeper), Marian Samaroo, Yogeeta Balkishun, Tasleema Bacchus, Russhanna Lynch, and Dian Prahalad. The manager is Devika Gobin and the coach is Julian Moore.
The fixtures for today include T&T vs Windwards, Gilbert Park, 09:30hrs
Barbados vs Guyana, National Cricket Centre, 09:30hrs
T&T vs Guyana, Gilbert Park, 14:30hrs
Barbados vs Windwards, National Cricket Centre 14:30hrs.
On Friday, T&T vs Barbados, National Cricket Centre, 09:30hrs
Windwards vs Guyana, Gilbert Park, 09:30hrs followed by
Semi-final 1, Gilbert Park, 14:30hrs
Semi-final 2, National Cricket Centre, 14:30hrs.
On Saturday on the Third-place playoff, Gilbert Park, 09:30hrs and the Final, National Cricket Centre, 09:30hrs.