Trinidad injure Jamaica’s chances in CWI T20 Blaze
West Indies opener Hayley Matthews dazzled in Barbados’ impressive win.
West Indies opener Hayley Matthews dazzled in Barbados’ impressive win.

– Barbados remain unbeaten

CMC – TRINIDAD and Tobago delivered a serious blow to Jamaica’s title hopes while Barbados maintained their perfect record during an action-packed fourth round of the CWI Women’s T20 Blaze on Saturday.

Playing at Sabina Park, the home side went under to last year’s champions T&T by 43 runs – to taste defeat for the first time.

Meanwhile, Barbados overcame Guyana by 27 runs to record their fourth consecutive win.

The Jamaicans were handicapped by the loss of skipper Stafanie Taylor, who suffered an injury while fielding and was unable to bat. She left the venue holding her right side but the full extent of the injury was not known.

Anisa Mohammed mesmerized the Jamaicans with her off-spin to end with the impressive figures of three for 17 as the hosts, in pursuit of 136, were held to a total for 92 for seven off 20 overs.

Earlier, T&T were asked to bat first and made a challenging 135 for five off their 20 overs. The score was boosted by two key partnerships, both featuring veteran Stacy-Ann King, who held the innings together with 39 off 46 balls.

She added 43 for the third wicket with Rachel Vincent, who made 36 off 30 balls before putting on a further 40 for the fifth wicket with newcomer Shania Abdool, who chipped in with a run-a-ball 17 in the last four overs.

In the second match, West Indies opener Hayley Matthews played a number of breathtaking shots in a sizzling half-century, as Barbados thrashed Guyana to maintain their unbeaten record and stay top of the points table.

The stylish 20-year-old hit seven fours and four towering sixes in a top-score of 61 off just 36 balls as Barbados rattled up 134 for six off their 20 overs – their highest score of the campaign.

She was well supported by opening partner, Danielle Small (21) with whom she added 44, and wicketkeeper, Kycia Knight (23) with whom she put on a further 55 for the second wicket.

Matthews won the Player-of-the-Match award for a boundary-studded 39 against Trinidad & Tobago and she again took the top award for another match-winning display.

Guyana were off to a shaky start, slipping to 32 for three in the seventh over, with leading run-maker and captain Shemaine Campbelle falling cheaply for 16.

They recovered to post 107 for three off their 20 overs thanks to an unbroken fourth-wicket stand off 75 between Akaze Thompson (47 not out) and Shabika Gajnabi (31 not out).

Thompson hit four fours and a six in a good all-round match as she followed up earlier impressive figures of two for 22. Gajnabi supported well with a four and a six but they could not increase the tempo of the innings as Barbados were excellent in the field.

Shanika Bruce was the best bowler with two for 17 off her four overs, including the crucial scalp of the in-form Campbelle.

In the day’s opening match, Windward Islands followed up their sensational two-wicket win over Guyana last Thursday by easily brushing aside Leeward Islands by 62 runs for their second consecutive victory.

The defeat, however, was the fourth for the Leewards and it left them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Experienced off-spinner Cordel Jack proved the match-winner, taking a career-best four for 19 as Windwards limited the Leewards to 81 for eight off their 20 overs.

Windies left-arm pacer Qiana Joseph was hostile with the new ball and ended with two for 18.

Earlier, opener Juliana Nero maintained her good form to pilot Windwards to 143 for six off their 20 overs.

The veteran right-hander, who turns 39 next month, top-scored for the second match in a row with a forthright 44 off 42 balls with five fours to follow up her 34 in the win over Guyana. She added 80 for the first wicket with Rachel Cyrus, who struck 30, including three boundaries.

Nero, who played 76 ODIs, 45 T20s Internationals and one Test for the Windies between 2003 and 2013, is now among the leading run-scorers and could be in line for a recall for the Women’s T20 World Cup to be hosted in the Caribbean from November 9-24.

The tournament concludes on Monday with three matches, all at Sabina Park. Barbados will face Jamaica in the afternoon in a match that will determine the winners.

Guyana will meet the Windwards in the morning fixture while T&T take on the Leewards in the night-cap match.

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