CWI Women’s T20 Blaze
… Selman, Alleyne bag three wickets apiece

By Clifton Ross
BARBADOS women cricketers stole the hearts of their Guyanese counterparts yesterday as they pulled off one of the most daring T20 heists, securing a come-from-behind 7-run win when round one of the Women’s T20 Blaze bowled off at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Providence has had its fair share of thrilling cricket action but yesterday’s encounter was a true testament to the unpredictability of the game.

Captain Hayley Matthews and her bowlers swung things from a near certain defeat to spring a surprise win over the hosts, in their backyard.

Guyana, needing just 87 for a win, found themselves at 79-9, after being 54-2 at one point; as their 20 overs expired. Pacers Shakira Selman (3-26) and Aaliyah Alleyne (3-18), were lethal and ravaged the local batting order.

The Guyanese ladies also had an exceptional outing with the ball, led by seamer Cherry-Ann Fraser (3-11), in their attack against the Bajans which kept them to 86 all out in 19.2 overs.

Two wickets apiece from slower bowlers – Mandy Mangru (2-13), and Kaysia Schultz (2-7) along with Ashmini Munisar (2-11), capped off a brilliant bowling performance.

West Indies women’s star, Matthews, showed her class as she steadied the ship amidst the implosion, ending on a gruelling top score of 35 off 44 deliveries managing just two fours.

After Matthews lost her opening partner Kycia Knight (5) in the second over, caught and bowled by Fraser, it was another Knight, this time Kyshona who added the Barbadians highest partnership of 38 for the second wicket.

When Munisar knocked over Knight for 17, Barbados never seemed to recover from 47-2 as Guyana landed consistent blows almost every 3 overs, eventually leaving Matthews and Knight as the only pair to reach double figures.

Guyana’s chase began solid before Mangru retired hurt without scoring. Top-scorers captain Shemaine Campbelle (33) and Shabika Gajnabi (14), added 45 for the second wicket and looked on course to securing a comprehensive win.

But Alleyne had other plans, removing both Guyanese top-scorers before Selman bagged her 3 scalps, coupled with Matthews and Shabika Bruce grabbing one each as the Bajans celebrated a stunning, much-needed win.

Earlier, the opening match between the Windward Islands ladies and Leewards, ended in a swift defeat for the latter who were handed a 4-wicket loss.

The Windwards managed to keep their opponents to a paltry 56-7 in 20 overs. They were made to work for their win, as they stumbled to victory, limping over the line at 57-6 in 17.1 overs, surviving a near call to escape with a win.