Barbados Women defeat the Leeward Islands

Defending champions Barbados won their second straight match against the Leeward Islands by nine wickets this afternoon in the second round of the Cricket West Indies CG United Women’s T20 Blaze played at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.

In overcast weather conditions, West Indies all-rounder and Barbados captain Hayley Matthews won the toss and elected to field. It was a decision that worked well in the team’s favour as they uprooted the Leeward Islands for a mere 60 runs all out in 18.2 overs. Barbados in response made 61 for one in 6.5 overs from their allotted 20.

The Leeward Islands’ lower order batter Rosalie Dolabaille top scored with 14 runs, Tiffany Thorpe accounted for ten and Amanda Edwards made nine.

Barbados bowlers led by captain Matthews and opening bowler Shanika Bruce with a wicket maiden over to start were impressive as they both captured three wickets from their allotted four overs.

Bruce with her incisive medium pace snatched three wickets without any runs being scored off her at that stage in what was her second (1.3) over bowled. Aaliyah Alleyne and vice-captain Shakera Selman who was introduced late into the attack both grabbed a wicket each.

In response to the target set by Leewards, Matthews along with fellow opener and wicketkeeper Kycia Knight got Barbados off to a good start as they put on a first-wicket stand of 23 runs.

Knight played a tremendous pull shot in front of square that went to the boundary off the bowling of Shawnisha Hector to get the run case going for the Barbadian ladies.

With the vast experience of Knight and particularly Matthews, the two wasted no time in seeking to wipe off the runs. Matthews was dropped on six by spinner Rozel Liburd on the third ball of the second over and she paid the price the next delivery which was smashed to the boundary for four as Barbados rushed to 15 without loss.

Knight was the wicket to fall, caught by Tonia Martin at extra cover for 12 runs playing a loose drive to a ball that was pitched up outside the off-stump from Tiffany Thorpe, the fourth delivery of her first over.

That brought her twin Kyshona Knight to the crease and she wasted no time getting off the mark with a beautiful shot for four. The running between the wickets was also commendable by the Barbadian ladies. It was a good pitch for batting at Providence and by the fourth over Barbados were already 40 for the one wicket and the chase looking as easy as an evening stroll. Matthews and Knight combined for a second-wicket partnership of 32 runs and made it look absolutely effortless.

Today’s victory made it eight points for Barbados from two matches as they won their opening match against host Guyana by seven runs in the ongoing five-match round-robin T-20 competition.

The match scheduled between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago earlier today failed to bowl off because of rain and therefore both teams received a point each.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb