A fantastic start to the USA U19 Women’s historic first international tour as they have moved 2-0 up in the series vs the Windward Islands Women’s U19s with the tour matches all taking place at the magnificent Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent.
GAME 1
In their first encounter, USA U19 Women’s team scored a comfortable nine-wicket victory over the Windward Islands team. Windward Islands won the toss and elected to bat. USA kept it tight right from the first over when Snigdha Paul took her first wicket in the second ball of the match. She finished with an impressive spell by taking three wickets in her allotted overs and giving eight runs.
Yashaaditi Teki and Bhumika Bhadriraju well supported her by keeping it tight for the Islanders. The lone resistance for the opposition team came from their opener Zaida James who compiled 24 runs when a superb direct hit throw by Ritu Singh, unfortunately, ran her out.
In response, USA openers Chetna Pagydyala and Ritu Singh put in a good opening 46 runs partnership without breaking a sweat. Ritu stuck three boundaries (two in one over) to break the shackles. She scored 20 and was the lone wicket to fall for the USA.
Vice Captain Laasya Mullapudi was in a belligerent mood scoring 17 from 13 balls, including three boundaries. Chetna remained not out on a well-made 19. Snigdha Paul was adjudged the player of the match.
GAME 2
Windward Island got off to a brisk start, led by their captain Zaida James and showed her intent to take on the attack once again. Windward Islanders once again won the toss and made the USA bowl. It was a day of hide and seek with rainy clouds and sun to bring spells of rain showers to keep the groundsman at Arnos Vale Stadium busy.
The game had to be stopped a few times during the match, which did not curb the girls’ enthusiasm or spirit on the field. The first interruption came during the 6th over, which shortened the game to 15 overs. Apart from Tracy Bryan, who supported her captain in the middle, Zaida carried the bat to the end by remaining unbeaten on 36.
Noticeably it was 26 extras remained the second top score that contributed to the opposition total of 84 during the truncated 15 overs. Ground fielding of the USA girls was good and took the opportunities that came their way.
Disha and Yashaaditi opened the proceedings for the USA when rain showers stalled the proceedings in the first over of the game itself. At resumption, the revised DLS target was 53 in 7 overs. Disha held the anchor at one end remained unbeaten on 18. The Islanders also gave 12 runs in extras. The match came down the wire requiring 13 off the final over. Disha and Ritu Singh had the task cut out on their hands, needing 10 runs of the 4 balls.
Ritu Singh held her nerve by cracking two boundaries under pressure before getting dismissed in the penultimate ball to bring everyone to the edge of their seats. It was all left out to Sigdha Paul to get 2 runs off the final ball, which she did in style. This victory will certainly give the USA Women’s team a lot of pride in their self-belief and resilience. Zaida was adjudged the player of the match.
Live scoring will be available on both CricClubs and in the USA Cricket Match Center here.
Team USA Women’s U19 Squad
Geetika Kodali (Captain)
Laasya Mullapudi (Vice Captain)
Anika Kumar
Bhumika Bhadriraju
Chetna Pagydyala
Disha Dhingra
Jivana Aras
Mitali Patwardhan (WK)
Pooja Ganesh (WK)
Ritu Singh
Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni
Snigdha Paul
Trisha Bhima
Tya Gonsalves
Yashaaditi Teki
U19 Head Coach: Asif Mujtaba
Selection Panel: Ritesh Kadu (Interim Chair), Jyotsna Patel, Deepali Rokade
Match Schedule
Monday January 24 – 1st T20 @ 1pm EST – Won by 9 Wickets
Tuesday January 25 – 2nd T20 @ 12:30pm EST – Won by 7 Wickets (on DLS method)
Wednesday January 26 – Rest Day
Thursday January 27 – 3rd T20 @ 9:00am EST
Friday January 28 – 4th T20 @ 9:00am EST
NB – St. Vincent local time is 1 hour ahead of EST.
