– Berbice starts title defense with easy win over E’bo

FIFTEEN-times defending 50-over champions Berbice, began its T-20 title defense with an emphatic seven-wicket win in the opening round against Essequibo yesterday at the Malteenoes ground.

In hot conditions, Berbice inserted Essequibo to bat on a good track and fast outfield and although Berbice were not as sharp in field as they were in 50-over format, a useful all-round performance from Sheneta Grimmond powered the pre-tournament favourites to victory in a game which commenced at 1:30 PM.

Player of the Match, off-spinner Grimmond captured 3-12 from 2.5 overs to help restrict Essequibo to a disappointing 44 from 14.5 overs before returning to top score with an undefeated 22 from 13 balls aided by four boundaries.

Berbice galloped to 45-3 in 6.4 overs.

Lavina Ragobeer (1) was removed by Grimmond at 13-1 and the ladies from Guyana’s largest County never recovered despite a short period of resistance from the left-handed Varuni Pitamber.
Pitamber favoured the on-side in her 20-ball 16 which included two fours off Grimmond.

Aside from Pitamber however, only opening batter Laurene Williams (12) reached double figures before she was trapped LBW to Shabika Gajnabi.

Gajnabi then bowled Nikesha Narine for a first ball duck to be on a hat-trick with Essequibo on 19-3.

National pacer, 20-year-old Cyanna Retemiah, Essequibo’s best player, was bowled by West Indies U-19 skipper, off-spinner Ashmani Munisar for two and had Navika Narine caught and bowled for one to also be on a hat-trick as Essequibo lost their last five wickets for four runs.

Gajnabi (2-2), Munisar (2-7), experienced national off-spinner Phaffiana and Medium pacer Trisha Hardat had a wicket each as they supported Grimmond.

Realanna Grimmond, the unrelated namesake of Sheneta, was removed by the lively Retemiah for one with three runs on the board when Berbice began their chase.

They later lost Cristal Durant (6) after she was LBW to the impressive seam bowler Yonette Welcome from the hinterland at 15-2.

Sheneta took the attack to the bowlers and disdainfully clipped Retemiah off her legs for a glorious boundary before Welcome uprooted Tiea Issac’s off-stump after she had made seven.
At that time, Berbice were 32-3 in 5.4 overs.

Gajnabi on three, was with Sheneta Grimmond when victory was achieved.

Welcome had 2-17 in a losing cause.