The year 2018 has been a revelation for women’s cricket; the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) female schools’ cricket exposed numerous talents. Ashley Ramnauth who is among these talents, announced herself in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female Under-17 secondary school T20 franchise cricket, with her magical off-spin bowling.
Born on March 7, 2004, Ashley Niveen Ramnauth, of New Area, Cane Field Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, is presently a student of the Canje Secondary School. She started playing cricket at the tender age of 11.
“It all started for me when my brother attended the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre; I told myself that I have to be on that field one day,” Ramnauth told this reporter in an interview.
Located opposite the Young Warriors Cricket Club, the Canje Secondary School is known for producing talented cricketers who are capable of reaching great heights. Kevin Sinclair, the Guyana Under-19 player, was a proud student of the Secondary School, captaining their team in many schools’ tournaments. Ramnauth, who is expected to add to this rich history, is motivated by her father.
The young off-spinner idolises the 25-year-old Bangladesh seam bowler Jahanara Alam. Ramnauth told this reporter that in approximately five years she sees herself in the West Indies women’s team. The Rose Hall Canje club member believes that she is capable enough to play at the highest level. This daughter of Nemcharran Ramnauth and Lalita Devi Meghu has a career-best of 5-8 in her blooming cricket career.
With a number of ICC Stand-alone Women’s World T20 matches played at the National Stadium, Providence, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, Ramnauth was given the opportunity to witness the likes of Mithali Raj, Stafanie Taylor and Suzie Bates. These outstanding women cricketers have inspired not only Ramnauth but young girls across Guyana.
In the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Female Under-17 Franchise T20 cricket, Ramnauth looked the most technically correct bowler, giving the ball flight, turning and extracting bounce. With the year coming to an end, 2019 may be the most productive year for the young spinner, who has her eyes set on playing regional cricket. Ramnauth is only at the beginning of her career but she may be the future Anisa Mohammed who bowls off-spin. (Brandon Corlette)
