Favourite Trinidad and Tobago succumbed to a fine all-round performance by the United States in the Final of the inaugural Cricket West Indies Women’s Rising Stars Under-19 Championship.
The Americans played unbeaten to lift the trophy, while the result was the first defeat for the second-placed home team.
USA won the toss at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and elected to bowl. T&T had a slow start and were in trouble at 22 for 2 by the eighth over. Thirty four off 27 balls from Djenba Joseph lifted the innings as T&T ended on 93-5 off their 20 overs. In reply, USA easily reached the target in 16.1 overs with the loss of only three wickets. Vice-captain Anika Kolan played the match-winning knock of 46 off 45 balls, with four boundaries.
USA celebrated their triumph, and captain Geetika Kodali was delighted with her team’s overall showing. She also praised the organisers for a hosting them throughout the two-week event.
In the day’s other match, Windward Islands clinched third place with a four-wicket win over Guyana.