Windies U-19 Women upset by Rwanda after batting meltdown

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (CMC):

West Indies Women slumped to a surprise four-wicket defeat to African nation Rwanda Women in their opening game of the ICC Under-19 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Super-6 stage here yesterday to suffer a massive setback in their quest for a semi-final berth.

The lethargy the Caribbean side displayed in their final group game against New Zealand Women when they crashed to a 10-wicket defeat returned to haunt them again, mustering a paltry 70 all out off 16.3 overs and then watching as Rwanda Women eclipsed the target with 10 balls to spare.

West Indies Women will now have the unenviable task of beating England Women in their final Super-6 contest on Wednesday, their opponents having already crushed Ireland Women on Saturday by 121 runs.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the growth and development of this team has been our focus,” said head coach Steve Liburd.

“As a batting group we can learn from the loss today, and we will go back to analyse how we play against slower bowlers. I still believe in these players, and I know they will develop into better players.”

He continued: “We still have one game to play, and we are going to continue representing the maroon with pride. This team can hold their heads high as we head into our last Super-6 match against England.”

Choosing to bat first, West Indies Women lost wickets steadily from the outset, and only Realeanna Grimmond, with 18 from 21 balls with two fours, managed to reach double figures.

Leg-spinners Marie Tumukunde (4-8) and Sylvia Usabyimana (4-20) proved West Indies Women’s undoing, ripping the innings apart with four-wicket bursts.

Requiring a huge bowling effort, West Indies Women were incisive up front, reducing Rwanda Women’s run chase to 40 for six at the end of the 12th over to be in with a chance of victory.

However, captain Gisele Ishimwe came to her side’s rescue with an unbeaten 31 off 53 deliveries with two fours, more importantly, putting on a crucial 31 in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand with Rosine Irera (eight not out) to snuff out the Caribbean side’s threat.