Development - Americas

Brasil finally beat Argentina in Women's Series

Just prior to the third game of this three-match 20/20 women's international cricket series, the Brasil team was looking a bit down, and far from enthusiastic about accepting the organizers' suggestion to play 25 overs

Norman Baldwin
Captains Erika Reinehr (Brasil) and Veronica Vasquez (Argentina) © ICC
Just prior to the third game of this three-match 20/20 women's international cricket series, the Brasil team was looking a bit down, and far from enthusiastic about accepting the organizers' suggestion to play 25 overs. After a close loss on Friday and something of a blowout on Saturday, the team wasn't looking forward to another Argentine victory.

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However, both sides still had players who had yet to bat or bowl, so the extra overs format would give everyone a good chance to participate. Things started looking up for Brasil in the first over, when Graziela Ricardi bowled Argentina opener Nina Llaraudo. After that, wickets started falling at regular intervals until Argentina soon found themselves at 13-5. Alison Prince and Captain Veronica Vasquez then put on a 28-run partnership, followed by a fine 32-run partnership between Vasquez and her vice-captain Catalina Greloni. These three batters showed their skill and experience well, finding the gaps and running smoothly between the wickets. Just when it was looking like Argentina might be headed for triple figures though, two quick run outs from some fine Brazilian fielding turned everything around, and the runs dried up then and there, leaving Argentina to defend 74.
Carolina Moraes looks for another run, as together with Sabrina Tisbierek for the 9th wicket, the pair took Brasil to a 2-wicket victory over Argentina with 7 balls to spare. © ICC
Brazil's opening bats fared no better than their opponents, losing three wickets for just 11 runs, mainly thanks to Shirley Seaton picking up two wickets in the first over. A 29-run 4th wicket stand between Carolina Gadelha and Juliana Brito put Brasil back on track, while a crucial 19-run 6th wicket partnership took Brasil to the brink. Although the Brasilian running was at times suicidal, the Argentine fielders were under constant pressure to make direct hits, which resulted in a number of (very) quick singles, some of which becoming twos thanks to overthrows.

Some late wickets with Brasil stuck on 67 gave Argentina hope though, with captain Veronica Vasquez exhorting her troops to not give up. But a few wides and a few more singles at the death finally gave Brasil a hard earned and greatly appreciated victory.

Although Argentina took the series 2-1, Brasil showed massive improvement over the event's 4 days. Juliana Brito batted and bowled like she's been doing it for years, while Erika Reinehr showed that captaincy suits her well. Throughout the event, both teams spared no energy to cheer on their team-mates, singing and dancing at every opportunity. The sportsmanship, friendship and mutual respect on display was utterly captivating. While the players were doing their best to win, mostly they were simply having the time of their lives playing cricket. If only more international competitions could share this same joyous enthusiasm!