Bajan ladies bowl off T20 Blaze with victory

Barbados have begun their Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze campaign with a victory.

Playing at Arnos Vale in St Vincent, they ground out a hard fought three-wicket victory over Trinidad and Tobago with nine balls to spare.

Opener Eboni Brathwaite top scored with 26 and put on 45 for the first wicket with Trishan Holder, whose dismissal in the seventh over for 16 sparked a slump which threatened to derail what seemed to be a routine chase of 98.

Trinidad and Tobago fought back to put Barbados into a precarious position at 68 for six in the 15th over, before veteran pacer Shamilia Connell smashed an unbeaten 16 from ten deliveries to get Barbados over the line at 99 for seven in the penultimate over.

Brianna Harricharan was the pick of the T&T bowlers, with her four overs costing just eight runs, as she took three wickets.

Earlier when play began, Britney Cooper top scored with 33 from 36 balls, while her captain and West Indies teammate Karishma Ramharack added 21, as Trinidad and Tobago made 97 for five.

Naijanni Cumberbatch took two for 18.

In the competition’s second game, Leeward Islands recorded a nine-run win over Jamaica.

After losing her opening partner Quiana Joseph for a first ball duck, Shawnisha Hector anchored the innings with 56 from 55 balls, as the Leewards posted 108 for five in their allotted 20 overs.

Chedan Nation was the most successful bowler for Jamaica, taking two for 15.

In reply Jamaica were restricted to 99 for eight, despite 48 not out from Nation, who had an excellent all round performance. 

For the Leewards Davronique Maynard took two for 19, while Hector returned with the ball to take two for 15 and Jahzara Claxton had figures of two for 26.

Earlier defending champions Guyana began their campaign, with a seven-run victory over Windward Islands.

Batting first in the opening game of the competition at Arnos Vale, Guyana were restricted to 96 for five, as Shabika Gajnabi top scored with 38 from 37 balls, while for the Windwards, Carena Noel and Zaida James both took one for 14.

In their turn at the wicket, the Windwards fell short at 89 for five. Jannillea Glasgow top scored with 41 from 59 balls,but was run out with three deliveries remaining. (KH)