..Sherica Campbell is MVP

THE five-match series Women’s T20 Cricket series between Guyana’s Precision Sports Combined Forces and Hibiscus from Trinidad and Tobago was badly affected by inclement weather.
After the Guyanese women won the opening game, the Trinidadian lasses rebounded to win the second encounter to level the series at Malteenoes ground.
However, torrential rainfall in the city resulted the other three scheduled matches being washed out as the rain played spoil sport.

The two teams shared the $200,000 prize money while Sherica Campbell was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and received a full ‘Moon Walker’ cricket kit (batting pads, Chest Guard, Arm Guard and a Helmet) Varuni Pitamber (Most wickets) and Naomi Barkoy (Most runs) were presented with trophies.
According to Trinidadian Nidia Andrews of Precision Sports, while rain was the main problem there were a lot of hurdles that affected the tournament.
“While I must thank the GCB for allowing the local ladies accommodation at their Hostel at LBI. Many promises were broken, especially concerning the use of the LBI ground” said Nidia who wants work with GCB on development of female cricket in Guyana.

“There is not enough cricket for females and there is no female club or league cricket here unlike Trinidad where the girls play in various leagues.
The only opportunity for women to play cricket as a team is in the inter-county tournament which lasts for just four days…the girls who have played senior cricket for Guyana or West Indies have to play in men’s teams which can be uncomfortable at times,” posited Nidia who played in Guyana’s Women’s Inter- County last year.
In preparation for this tournament the girls had training sessions in Demerara and Essequibo while rain and the unavailability of a venue curtailed plans for training in Berbice.
“I want to this programme to be on a long term basis so our team will get stronger which will also give the County Selectors a wider pool to pick from which will also help Guyana’s cricket,” reasoned Nidia.

“I also suggested to the GCB to appoint a woman to be in charge of women’s cricket (this is not new since it happened under the Chetram Singh Presidency when Emily Dodson was head of Women’s cricket) but they (GCB) said that was something to think about.
Another thing which surprised me was when I approached the GCB and told them what I wanted to do to provide more opportunities for the ladies to play more cricket…They said that’s a good idea…but they had never thought about it,” revealed Nidia who wants to take the ladies overseas to oppose foreign teams.
“I have leant a lot from this year and I thank all those who have helped. Next year’s tournament will be bigger and better,” concluded Nidia.