Canada and Bermuda to play for Americas women's title

Canada encountered little resistance from Argentina in their ICC Americas Women's Championship game in Toronto today to win by a comfortable 8 wickets, and thereby set up a championship decider against rivals Bermuda tomorrow.

All-rounder Joanna White put in a great performance with both bat and ball, to deservedly be named player of the match. She was key to the Canadian team bowling out Argentina for 108 in 34.1 overs, returning figures of 3 for 14 in 7.1 overs. Then with Canada's reply at a little bit of a crossroad at 31 for 2, White struck a superb 34 not out, off only 33 balls with 6 fours to help steer Canada to 112 for 2 in 16.4 overs and clinch an 8 wicket victory.

Argentina can justly be proud of yet again putting up a spirited performance, and the young and inexperienced squad will surely improve in leaps and bounds in the years ahead. At one point they were well placed at 82 for 3 after 24 overs, with fine contributions coming from Marcela Rojas, 27 off 64 balls, 1 four, and Veronica Vasquez, with 18 off 35 balls, with 1 four. However, White's bowling, along with sound support from Helene Gaffney, 2 for 18 in 8 overs, saw the last seven Argentine wickets fall for 26 runs, and 108 was never going to be enough against a solid Canadian batting line-up.

Despite early hiccoughs in losing two early wickets, White and opener Shoba Singh, 35 not out off 52 balls, with 4 fours, shared in an unbeaten 81 run 3rd wicket stand to reach their target with more than 23 overs to spare.

In the other game the Trinidad & Tobago U17 side pulled off a good 64 run win over Bermuda. Electing to bat first, the youth side compiled a useful 173 all out with 2 balls remaining from their allotted 40 overs. Opening bat Whitney Cudjoe made an excellent 47, scored from 64 balls and including 4 fours. Important contributions also came from middle-order batters Alison Collins, 22 off 31 balls, and skipper Jerveena Pollucksingh, 28, off 63 balls, with 2 fours.

Pick of the Bermuda bowlers was off-spinner Brittney Marshall, who took 3 for 20 in 6 overs, including a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss Pollucksingh. Linda Mienzer also bowled well for 2 for 33 off her 8 overs.

The Bermuda reply was highlighted by a lack of meaningful partnerships, with wickets falling at regular intervals, despite a brief threat when player of the match Marshall struck a quick 25 off 31 balls with 5 powerful fours. Of the rest of the Bermudan batters, only skipper Chevonne Furbert reached double figures, making a late 15 in 18 balls with 2 fours.

The other highlight of the innings, perhaps more so from a Trinidad & Tobago viewpoint, was three brilliant run outs, all with direct hits, two by Amanda Samaroo and another by Melissa Sandy. In the end, Bermuda were all out for 109 in 33.1 overs, 64 runs short.

Bermudan vice-captain Linda Mienzer insisted that despite the defeat, their progress was still positive. "We made a big improvement in the field, and our bowling was much tighter and much more consistent."

Trinidad & Tobago U17 coach, Brenda Solozano, was understandably pleased with the performance of her young team. "They were excellent today, achieving a good win against a good team, and we will continue to strive for excellence in the games ahead."

Tournament organizers have brought Thursday's fixtures forward to tomorrow (Wednesday), and the big game will undoubtedly be the Americas Championship decider between Canada and Bermuda.

In their last meeting between the two teams, Bermuda triumphed 2-1 in a three match series, which clinched their participation in the forthcoming World Cup qualifier later in the year in Pakistan.

Naturally, Bermuda will be out to prove that result was no fluke, while the Canadians will be looking to gain some consolation for missing out on the World Cup qualifier by winning the inaugural Americas Championship.

In the other game of the day tomorrow, Argentina will no doubt be looking for further experience and improvement against Trinidad & Tobago U17, who in turn will be fine tuning their game for the game on Friday against a select Americas XI.