Top performances from Samantha Bissoon and Felicia Walters led the T&T Development Girls team to a seven-wicket win over a China Women's team in the former's first match on its tour of China, on Thursday.
In a shortened 30-over contest due to rain, T&T reduced the home team to a modest 91/8 batting first at the Wellington International School in Shanghai. Bissoon, who was part of the T&T squad in the recently concluded West Indies Women's Super50 Championships, was the pick of the bowlers. Bissoon grabbed 3/3 in six overs, which included three maidens. Spin bowler Karishma Ramharack was also among the wickets, snatching 2/15 in five overs.
China captain Huang Zhuo batting at number four was the only batter to offer resistance, top scoring with an unbeaten 33. The only other batter to reach double figures was Zhou Caiyun with ten.
Petite right-hander Felicia Walters led the chase for T&T, top scoring with 38 to guide the visitors to 92/3 in 29 overs. T&T captain Reniece Boyce pitched in with 24 to help steer T&T to the target. Zhao Ning was the best bowler for China, taking 1/7 in three overs.
The China Cricket Association invited the T&T team on the tour, which will also include T20 matches. The tour is scheduled to conclude on September 4.
The T&T Women's Cricket Association (TTWCA) views the tour as an opportunity to continue to promote the holistic development of young people through sport. Through such cultural exposure, young nationals will expand their global perspective and be role models in their respective schools and communities.
In the meantime, T&T is looking forward to the China representative team's reciprocal visit to T&T as part of China's preparation for the ICC qualifying T20 tournament in November. The TTWCA views this as contributing to T&T's sport tourism thrust.
SCORES: At Wellington International School: China Women's team 91/8 (Huang Zhuo 33 not out, Zhou Caiyun 10, Samantha Bissoon 3/3, Karishma Ramharack 2/15) vs T&T Developmental Girls team 92/3 (29 overs) (Felicia Walters 38, Reniece Boyce 24, Zhao Ning 1/7) T&T won by seven wickets.