Matthews’ ton leads the way

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Captain Hayley Matthews struck a dashing century as Barbados thrashed Jamaica by eight wickets, to win their third game on the trot in the Regional Super50 yesterday.

Chasing 215 for victory in the third round contest at Bourda, Barbados coasted to their target in the 36th over, courtesy of Matthews’ 108.

Hayley Matthews slammed a century against Jamaica.

All told, the highly rated Windies opener faced 101 deliveries and struck 14 fours and two sixes. She dominated a 52-run, opening stand with Danielle Small (5) before adding a further 132 for the second wicket with left-hander Kycia Knight who stroked 59 from 79 balls with seven fours.

Not to be left out, all-rounder Deandra Dottin arrived late to smash a brace of fours and sixes in a 13-ball 23 not out and put Barbados over the line.

Jamaica captain Stafanie Taylor had earlier top-scored with 80 to follow up her hundred in Tuesday’s second round as her side tallied 214 for seven off their 50 overs, after choosing to bat first.

The Windies skipper counted four fours in an innings which required 117 deliveries, posting an invaluable 92 for the third wicket with international teammate Chedean Nation, who made 31 from 84 deliveries.

At Everest, discarded West Indies batter Stacy-Ann King reminded selectors of her quality as Trinidad and Tobago got past the Windward Islands by 51 runs.

Opting for first knock, T&T rallied to 257 for five with King stroking an unbeaten 79, Rachel Vincent, 59, while Reniece Boyce hit a run-a-ball unbeaten 43.

King, who played the last of her 66 ODIs three years ago, hit six fours off 129 balls in a 72-run second-wicket stand with opener Vincent, who faced just 65 balls and belted nine fours.

The right-handed King also added a further 66 for the third wicket with Britney Cooper (23) before anchoring an 84-run, unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Boyce.

In reply, the Windwards put up an admirable fight, thanks to half-centuries from Stacy-Ann Adams (59) and Afy Fletcher (57) but failed to overhaul their target, as they finished on 206 for six off their 50 overs.

Adams, who faced 100 balls and struck five fours, put on 58 for the third wicket with veteran Cordel Jack (24) to pull their side around from 45 for two, before Fletcher and Akiera Peters (26 not out) added 49 in an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership.

Fletcher’s knock was a breezy one, coming from 62 balls and including six fours.

At Enmore, hosts Guyana sent the Leeward Islands to another defeat with a crushing 131-run victory.

Shabnika Gajnabi struck a run-a-ball 78 to get her side up to 240 for nine before fellow teenager, Mandy Mangru grabbed four for 22 with her off-spin to limit the Leewards to 109 all out in the 25th over. (CMC)