WI U19 Women level USA series

The five-march Under-19 Women’s T20 Series between USA and West Indies is all square after a dominant bowling performance by the hosts on Monday at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.

The USA won the opening fixture on Saturday by 37 runs. Batting first, the Americans made 106-8. Ritu Singh made 29, and captain Anika Kolan 22, but the visitors were indebted to the indiscipline of their hosts. The West Indies bowled 25 extras.

Selena Ross took a tidy 3-12 to lead the bowling attack with her left-arm medium pace. Right-arm medium pacer Jahzara Claxton took 3-20.

In the West Indian response, only Samara Ramnath (28) and Brianna Harrichan (20) got to double figures, as the home team was held to 69/9. The USA bowled just six extras, and the West Indies recorded two ducks.

On Monday, the USA chose to bat first once more. This time, however, they were all out 65. A somewhat less profligate West Indies team allowed 15 extras. Only Kolan (10) and Sasha Vallabhaneni (22) got notable scores. They lasted 18.1 overs.

Ross was back among the wickets, taking two for eight from her three overs, including a maiden. Kenika Cassar (2-17) and Trisha Hardat (2-18) kept the tourists at bay. And although Ramnath took just one wicket, she only gave one run from three overs.

West Indies were in a no-nonsense mood as they replied with a quickfire 69-2 in 13.1 overs. The Bajan duo of Asabi Callender and NaiJanni Cumberbatch led the charge. Callender hit 20 off 35 balls, including a four and six. But opening partner Ramnath hit nine from nine, dominating the opening stand of 16. Then in came Cumberbatch. The West Indies U19 veteran put the Americans to the sword, hitting an unbeaten 26 from 27 balls, including two fours and a six.

Callender was dismissed in the 10th over, but it was too little, too late for the USA. West Indies won by eight wickets.

The third match of the series is on Wednesday at St Augustine.