The showpiece finale of the 2nd Americas Women�s Championship was hampered but not halted by torrential rain and lightning warnings, resulting in a 29 run D/L method win for the talented young Trinidad & Tobago Development XI over the representative Americas XI.

Originally scheduled for Brian Picollo Park, which was inundated by heavy rain early in the day, the fixture was moved to the Central Broward Regional Park, and reduced from a 40 over contest to a 25 over match.

Electing to bat, the T&T; combination got off to a bright start, openers Devika Singh (34 off 48 balls, 2 fours) and Rackeal Bisoon (27 off 52 balls) adding 62 in 13 overs for the first wicket. However the Americas XI fought back, taking 6 wickets for 5 runs at one stage, and eventually restricting their opposition to 109 for 9 in 23,2 overs before a lightning warning brought the innings to a premature close.

Young Argentina off-spinner Sofia Retamales starred with the ball, taking 2 for 14 in 4 overs, and also completing two run outs. Joanna White also bowled well, taking 2 for 8 in 2 overs.

In what can only be described as a nightmare start, the Americas XI lost two wickets to run outs off the first two balls of their reply, both batters out without facing a ball. It was a start from which the team never ultimately recovered, only Bermudan Terry Lynn Paynter offered any real resistance with an innings of 20, off 23 balls with 1 four.

Having been set a revised target of 79 to win in 15 overs after weather interruptions, the Americas XI could only manage 50 for the loss of 6 wickets in 15 overs, and thus victory to the T&T; XI, for whom Sarona Samaroo was the best bowler with 2 for 4 in 2 overs.

Tournament presentations were concluded after the game, and successful defending champions Canada received the Americas Women�s trophy for the second time.

Final placings and regional rankings were:

1. Canada, 2. USA, 3. Argentina, 4. Bermuda, 5. Brazil

At the ceremony the Trinidad & Tobago Development XI, after being thanked for their contribution to the event, and women�s cricket development in the region, received the Americas T20 trophy. Final placings in the T20 tournament were: 1. Trinidad & Tobago Development XI, 2. Canada, 3. Argentina, 4. USA, 5. Bermuda / Brazil

Individual prizewinners were also announced, and these included:

• Player of the Tournament: Mona Persaud (Canada)
• Best Batter: Dirce Yuli (Argentina)
• Best Bowler: Isoline Sutherland (USA)
• Best Fielder: Juliana Brito (Brazil)
• Best Wicket-keeper: Devika Singh (T&T; Development XI)

ICC Americas also announced the twelve players selected to attend a future regional women�s training academy, and included: Dirce Yuli, Sofia Retamales, Mercedes Esperon (all Argentina), Jenay Edness, Akeyla Furbert (both Bermuda), Juliana Brito, Luiza Paranhos (both Brazil), Mona Persaud, Meara Crawford, Mikaela Turik (all Canada), Sonakshi Sagar and Candacy Atkins (both USA).

In all an extremely successful tournament, with all teams showing improvement, especially perhaps Argentina, who recorded historic T20 wins over Bermuda and USA respectively, as well as a bright first appearance by fellow South Americans Brazil. It was also pleasing to see the USA make a first appearance at this event, and they finised runners-up to champions Canada. These two teams will now go forward to meet at a future date in a three match series to determine which of them will represent the Americas region at the next Women�s World Cup qualifying tournament.