In a dramatic display of contrasting outcomes at the Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho-Lima, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket teams witnessed radically different results on December 5th. The women’s squad delivered a commanding performance to secure their place in the championship final, while the men’s team suffered their first tournament defeat against Barbados.
The TT women’s team demonstrated exceptional bowling prowess against Jamaica for the second consecutive day, dismissing their opponents for a meager 58 runs. Eighteen-year-old off-spinner Samara Ramnath emerged as the standout performer with impressive figures of 4/11 from her four overs. Veteran players Lee Ann Kirby and Anisa Mohammed provided crucial support with identical bowling statistics of 2/9 each. Jamaica’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically after reaching 44/2, losing their final eight wickets for just 14 runs.
Despite an early batting stumble that saw TT reduced to 13/2, experienced campaigner Britney Cooper orchestrated a spectacular recovery with an explosive unbeaten 33 from just 18 deliveries. Her innings, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, propelled the team to an eight-wicket victory with more than eleven overs to spare.
Meanwhile, the TT men’s team encountered significant challenges against Barbados, falling to a 34-run defeat despite earlier victories against Jamaica and hosts Peru. Barbados posted a competitive total of 150/5, anchored by opener Shian Brathwaite’s composed unbeaten 63 from 58 balls. The TT bowling attack was led by allrounder Teshawn Castro (2/21) and left-arm spinner Damion Joachim (2/33).
The TT chase began disastrously, collapsing to 27/4 within seven overs. Although captain Vikash Mohan (27) and Dejourn Charles (39) staged a partial recovery with a 46-run partnership, the team ultimately folded for 116 in the penultimate over. Barbados’ left-arm seamer Jerome Jones proved instrumental with bowling figures of 3/27.
The women’s team will complete their round-robin stage against Barbados on December 6th before advancing to the championship final on December 7th. The men’s squad awaits their final placement while hoping for another opportunity to compete for the title.