Future of women’s cricket looks bright- Guyana female U19 Coach Smartt

Aug 12, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....le-u19-coach-smartt/

By Zaheer Mohamed

Coach of the successful Guyana U19 female T20 team Tremaine Smartt said the future of Women’s cricket in Guyana looks bright and lauded the players on their success in the recently concluded regional invitational U19 T20 tournament which was held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Smartt said that the players played as a unit and this was mainly responsible for their success in the Twin Island republic.
Guyana played unbeaten in the tournament which also involved the host nation, Windward Islands and Barbados.
In the final which was contested at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Guyana, led by a fine all-round performance by Mandy Manrgu, overcame Trinidad and Tobago by seven wickets (Duckworth/Lewis method).
The home team were restricted to 94-9, batting first.
Berbice off-spinner Plaffiana Millington claimed 4-17 and Mangru 2-8.
Trinidad and Tobago skipper Reniece Boyce scored 33 and Renella Dookie20.
Guyana were set a revised target of 86 in 18 overs due to rain and reached home in 17.2 overs for the loss of three wickets, winning their first title at this level.
Mangru returned to hit 34, while skipper Shabika Gajnabi made 20 not out.
April Ramoutar was the lone wicket taker for the Twin-Island Republic with 3-17.
Smartt stated that the Guyanese players executed well. “They stuck to the basics and executed the game plan well. I was impressed with the way they supported each other on and off the field and these things can make a difference in the result,” she said.
Smartt said one of their objectives prior to the tournament was to do better than their previous years and the players were determined to do their country proud.
Smartt who served as manager previously, said it is important for these players to be kept involved in the game and a programme should be put in place to ensure their continuous development. “A lot can be expected from these girls later in their careers, they have shown that have what it takes to excel in the sport,” she posited.
While she commended the entire team on their efforts, Smartt singled out Mangru, Millington, Gajnabi and Sherryann Fraser for special mention. Millington took the most wickets in the tournament, 12, while Mangru was voted the MVP after taking nine wickets and scoring 70 runs.
Smartt said that Gajnabi did an excellent job in leading team. “The skipper managed to get the best out of the players. Fast bowler Fraser, who was on her first tour, bowled impressively and also did well with the bat and in the field,” she noted.
The 31-year old Smartt holds the record for the highest third-wicket partnership in women’s T20 international -124 runs with Stacy Ann King.
She was a member of the West Indies Women’s side that won the last T20 World Cup.