T20 did 'a lot for women's cricket'

People's Choice's Samuels happy as team dethrones New Berry

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

DW People's Choice coach, Michael Samuels, says the just-concluded Hotel Four Seasons/Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Women's Twenty20 championship has done a lot for the development of the sport in the country.

The six-team championship, which was played simultaneously by the West Indies Cricket Board Women's Twenty20 championship, ended on Sunday with DW People's Choice netting a five-wicket win over dethroned champions New Berry in the final.

"This competition really did a lot for women's cricket and the hope is that it will grow from strength to strength in years to come," said Samuels, who has been coaching the champions for the past five seasons.

"It was well-organised and thanks to sponsorship from Hotel Four Seasons and the success of the regional women's championship the girls were really motivated to play."

Played at Manley Horne Park in St Elizabeth, the final was a low-scoring affair with DW Peoples replying with 55 for five off 9.2 overs to New Berry's 53 off 18.4 overs.

Leading the way for DW People's Choice in the field was outstanding left-arm spinner Soroya Wright, who claimed three for 10.

Pacers Niesha-Ann Waysome and Felisha Wright, who ended with two wickets each, best supported Wright.

New Berry, who won the toss and chose to bat, only saw two of their players, Natasha McLean, 12 and captain Vanessa Watts, 10, entering double figures.

DW People's Choice, batting, in the meantime, was led by the in-form and ever-reliable Stafanie Taylor, who scored an unbeaten 19 to guide her team home amid the loss of several of partners.

Another left-arm spinner, Jodi-Ann Brown, took three for 19 and part-time pacer Natasha McLean, two for six, took most wickets for the losers.

"It was a good win as after being a 42 for one at one stage and to lose three quick wickets was a bit nerve-racking," said Samuels.

"But in the end and thanks to Taylor we were able to hold out."

He added: "For the last two years New Berry had the title and the girls kept on saying during training that we wanted the title back.

"It is therefore very pleasing to know that we were able to pull it off."