Williams, Nation pilot Jamaica to 7-wicket victory over Guyana

… Barbados remain unbeaten
A SOLID batting exhibition from Jamaica Women saw them cruise to a 7-wicket win over their Guyanese counterparts, when action in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG United Women’s T20 Blaze continued yesterday at Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

In a clinical run-chase of 90, the Jamaicans reached 92 for 3 in 17.5 overs. They were indebted to top-scorer Rashada Williams who missed a half-century as she finished unbeaten on 41 off 52 balls with 6 eye-catching fours to her credit. With heavy support from Chedean Nation who, until a few deliveries before victory was achieved, had scored a classy 30 from 39 with 4 boundaries, they added a match-winning stand of 68 for the 3rd wicket with Williams.

Guyana did well to finish on 90-6 from their allotted 20 overs batting first. The heroics of Shabika Gajnabi (26 not out) and a gutsy lower-order knock of 20 from seamer Cherry-Ann Fraser, who retired hurt, helped Guyana to a decent total.

Opener Lashana Toussaint (11) and captain Shemaine Campbelle (10) added 15 runs after the hosts slid to 36-5 at the halfway mark, before the pair of top-scorers managed to help give their side something to battle for.
Jamaica’s new-ball bowler Chinell Henry spearheaded the excellent bowling outing with figures of 3-13, ensuring no other Guyanese player reached double digits.

Jamaican opener Natasha McLean was removed for duck when the chase began. She was followed by captain and birthday girl Stefanie Taylor (10), who was trapped lbw by veteran Tremayne Smartt (2-12), who bagged her second wicket.

But Williams sought to pound the bowling attack as she and Nation steadied things. Gajnabi sprung a final breakthrough, removing Nation but at that point it was too late for the home team.
In the end, the runs proved too little for the visitors who crossed the line with relative ease and oodles of confidence heading into the next round.

BARBADOS TROUNCE WINDWARDS BY 10 WICKETS
The morning clash got underway with a 10-wicket mauling, as defending champions Barbados surged to victory over Windward Islands in a low-scoring, lop-sided affair.
Barbados captain Hayley Matthews continued her impressive batting form, scoring 41 off 34 with 3 fours. She, along with fellow opener Kycia Knight, who struck 32, saw their team to 89-0 inside 12 overs.

Windwards were earlier skittled out for 87-6 in 20 overs. Skipper Afy Fletcher hit a resilient 30 with support from Zaida James who had 23, but were unable to negate the potency of the Bajan seamers, Shanika Bruce (3-13) and Aaliyah Alleyene (2-6).

The win was Barbados’ third in as many matches in the tournament, and they now sit top of the points table with a healthy run rate.