In the 6th Match of the South American Women’s Championships at Poços de Caldas, Brazil A Women squared off against Costa Rica Women in an action-packed encounter. Electing to bat first, Brazil A Women’s opening partnership between Beatriz Pereira and Anna De Oliveira began cautiously before Katheryn Calderon struck early, bowling Anna De Oliveira for 2 runs (8 balls) at 11/1 in 1.5 overs. Pereira was forced off the field after scoring 12 runs off 23 balls due to being retired hurt. Soon after, Calderon struck again by taking a quick caught-and-bowled to dismiss Lavinia Silva for just 1 run off 7 balls, dropping Brazil A Women to 18/2 in 3.1 overs.
Rebuilding the innings fell upon Gabriela Bernardes and Ana Bessoni, who added crucial runs before an unfortunate run-out executed by JC Molina and Cano sent Ana Bessoni back for 5 runs off 8 balls with the score at 60/3 in 10.2 overs. Saray Lara then joined the action, getting Gabriela Bernardes caught by Calderon for 19 off 31 balls (including 1 four) at 66/4 in 11.2 overs. Shortly after, Jazmin Molina entered the wicket-takers list by removing Gabrieli Da Silva for 5 off 7 balls (1 four), who was caught by Lewis at 72/5. A second swift run-out by JC Molina and Cano accounted for Silvia Souza for 3 runs (3 balls) at 77/6.
Down the order, Eloise Thomaz struck a vital 12 off 11 balls before being clean-bowled by Yerin Molina at 107/7 in 17.6 overs. Yerin Molina then picked up her second wicket by bowling Ana Da Silva for a steady 13 off 27 balls at 110/8 in 19.1 overs. Geovana De Lima (2 off 6 balls) and Tamara Pereira (2 off 2 balls) finished not out, taking Brazil A Women to 113/8 in 20 overs, heavily aided by 37 extras. On the bowling front for Costa Rica Women, Yerin Molina stood out with brilliant figures of 2/8 in 4 overs (including a maiden). Katheryn Calderon picked up 2/29 (4 overs), Jazmin Molina chipped in with 1/27 (4 overs), Saray Lara took 1/25 (4 overs), and Wendy Morales bowled a tidy spell of 0/23 in 4 overs.
Chasing a target of 114, Costa Rica Women got off to a disastrous start as Brazil A Women’s bowlers completely dominated the top order. Gabriela Bernardes struck early to catch Maria Miranda off her own bowling for a 5-ball duck at 1/1 in 1.5 overs. Lavinia Silva followed up by holding a caught-and-bowled to send back opener Dunia Perez for a 11-ball duck at 2/2 in 2.5 overs. Bernardes grabbed her second wicket immediately, having Saray Lara caught by Souza for a 2-ball duck at 2/3 in 3.1 overs. Eloise Thomaz then joined the wicket spree, bowling Maria Cano for a 2-ball duck to make it 4/4 in 4.1 overs.
Ana Da Silva bowled Costa Rica Women’s captain Wendy Morales for another duck (10 balls), leaving the side reeling at 5/6 in 6.2 overs. Eloise Thomaz picked up her second wicket by dismissing Yoshanil Lewis for 1 run (5 balls), caught by substitute fielder HA Laccino at 6/11 in 7.3 overs. Yerin Molina made 5 runs off 16 balls before being run out by GC Da Silva at 24/7 in 11.4 overs. Jazmin Molina also contributed 5 runs off 26 balls before a run-out combination from TNR Pereira and Bernardes brought her stay to an end at 32/8 in 12.5 overs. Katheryn Calderon fought valiantly to stay at the crease, remaining not out on 3 runs off 23 balls, alongside Kaisha Moya, who defended resolutely for 0 not out off 25 balls, while Samarie Daley did not bat.
Costa Rica Women ended their 20 overs on 51/8, with 37 extras contributing the bulk of their tally. Brazil A Women’s bowling unit delivered an extraordinary, economical performance: Eloise Thomaz finished with figures of 2/4 in 3 overs (1 maiden), Gabriela Bernardes claimed 2/12 in 4 overs (1 maiden), Lavinia Silva took 1/7 in 4 overs (1 maiden), and Ana Da Silva posted 1/11 in 3 overs (1 maiden). Supporting spells were bowled by Geovana De Lima (0/2 in 2 overs, 1 maiden), Ana Bessoni (0/5 in 2 overs), Gabrieli Da Silva (0/3 in 1 over), and Tamara Pereira (0/6 in 1 over), securing a resounding 62-run victory for Brazil A Women.
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