Development - Americas

Canada win first Americas Women's Championship

Canada beat Bermuda by 5 wickets in an enthralling contest at Maple Leaf CC, and thereby won the first-ever ICC Americas Women's Championship

ICC Development (Americas) Media Release
An excited Team Canada celebrates their Championship © ICC
Canada beat Bermuda by 5 wickets in an enthralling contest at Maple Leaf CC, and thereby won the first-ever ICC Americas Women's Championship. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bermuda made 169 for 7 in their allotted 40 overs. In reply, Canada marched to an emphatic victory, and the Americas crown, reaching 173 for 5 in 35 overs.

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The only really meaningful contribution came from all-rounder Terry-Lynn Paynter, with an outstanding innings of 58, including 6 fours in 61 balls. For Canada, Helene Gaffney produced a great late bowling spell, to end with figures of 3 for 31 in 5 overs.

Canada got off to a nervous start in reply, and in search of the Americas title, but a 123 run 3rd partnership, between Kim Coulter, 37 off 81 balls, with 3 fours, and a brilliant undefeated 50, off 78 balls with 4 fours, for player of the match Joanna White, effectively signed and sealed the outcome.

Although Bermuda did snatch two late wickets, it was too little too late, and Canada reached the victory target for the loss of 5 wickets with 5 overs to spare. Terry-Lynn Paynter was the pick of the Bermudan bowlers, taking 1 for 17 off 8 overs.

"It was truly a great team effort, and a fantastic achievement to win the game and the Americas Championship," said an elated Canadian captain, Ave Mogan, after the game. "The partnership between Kim (Coulter) and Joanna (White) was really important to get us into a winning position, after our bowlers had done an excellent job in restricting them to 169. Everyone is very happy with this victory."
A happy Joanna White showing off her undefeated 50 © ICC
Although disappointed at the loss, Bermuda have the consolation of the World Cup qualifier in Pakistan later in the year, and will undoubtedly apply all lessons learnt during this competition in order to be at their best at the qualifier.

"We batted well, especially Terry (Paynter), to give ourselves a chance, but unfortunately our bowling was less effective," commented vice-captain Linda Mienzer. "We waited too late to apply more pressure, but I think we showed a lot of character throughout the game. Congratulations to Canada, and we will return home and continue to work hard towards the tournament in Pakistan."

In the other game, the Trinidad & Tobago U17 team recorded a massive 241 run victory over a gutsy Argentina side. Star of the show, and player of the match, was young Amanda Samaroo, who struck a superb unbeaten 128, off only 125 balls with 14 fours. Although she did offer a couple of chances, her innings was filled with superlative strokeplay and masterful placing and control - truly a name to look out for in the future.

Support came in the form of Whitney Cudjoe, who made a fine 55, off 91 balls with 7 fours. Cudjoe and Samaroo shared in an entertaining second wicket partnership of 122 runs. After the dismissal of Cudjoe, Samaroo teamed up with Melissa Sandy to add another 121 for the third wicket. Sandy made 29 in 64 balls with 2 fours.

In the end, the U17's finished their 40 overs on a mammoth 333 for the loss of 3 wickets. It was always going to be way beyond the reach of Argentina, but the young South Americans set themselves of batting their allotted 40 overs, and did so.

Captain Catalina Greloni made 20 not out, off 83 balls with 1 four, and Marcela Rojas contributed 17, made off 71 balls and with 2 fours. At the end of their 40 overs, Argentina finished on 92 for 4, in the end a distant loss, but batting out the 40 overs definitely a huge step for them as they search for more and more improvement.

This sentiment was echoed by Argentina team manager Moira Culley. "Our goal today was to bat throughout the 40 overs, and we did so. The girls are very happy with what they achieved today, and in the last days, and I'm sure they are going to improve in the future as they play more matches."

Trinidad & Tobago U17 team manager, Brenda Solozano, was also happy with the past three days of competition. "We have aimed to maintain a high level of cricket here, and I think we have done that. All the players in our squad were able to play in the games, thus allowing me to look at them for further development. It was also very pleasing today to see Amanda Samaroo achieve her personal best score."

2007 ICC Americas Women's Championship - Final Placings:
1. Canada
2. Bermuda
3. Argentina

After a rest day tomorrow, Friday will see the final day of the event with a match between the Trinidad & Tobago U17 team and an ICC Americas XI, after which an awards ceremony for the week will take place.

ICC Americas XI, from:
Ave Mogan (capt), Joanna White, Kim Coulter and Maree Wilson - Canada ; Chevonne Furbert (v-capt), Reuna Richardson, Terry-Lynn Paynter and Wendy Woodley - Bermuda ; Veronica Vasquez and Cecilia Birnie - Argentina ; Mawhish Khan and Santhiya Rajaram - ICC Americas. Ann Browne-John will coach the squad.