…Guyana finished second in the tournament

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Jamaica Women stumbled to a five-wicket defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method against Guyana Women in a low-scoring contest, but they were still crowned the new West Indies Women’s Super50 Cup champions on Wednesday in St Kitts.

It was the first Super50 title for the Jamaicans since they beat the same opponents by 218 runs in the final of an eight-team tournament a decade ago at Windsor Park in the Dominica capital of Roseau.

Former West Indies Women’s Under-19 captain Ashmini Munisar bagged three for 11 from six overs and led the demolition of the batting of the Jamaicans for 72 in 27.1 overs after they chose to bat in a rain-affected match in the final round at the St Paul’s Sports Complex that was affected by rain.

West Indies Women’s A bowler Nyia Latchman supported with two for one from 1.1 overs, and West Indies Women’s off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond grabbed two for 20 from seven overs to hasten the destruction.

Opener Rashada Williams hit the top score of 31 for Jamaica Women, and fellow West Indies Women’s international Chedean Nation made 20, but they were the only two to make that many.

In reply, Guyana Women endured a bit of jitters and defied two-wickets bursts from Jaunel Deers and Neisha-Ann Waisome before they reached their target in 17.4 overs after opener Mandy Mangru led the way with 24, and their captain and West Indies Women’s wicketkeeper-batsman Shemaine Campbelle made 21.

The result also meant that the Guyanese finished second in the tournament.
Elsewhere, a resolute 72 from Afy Fletcher topped a destructive spell from West Indies Women’s pacer Shamilia Connell and a run-a-ball 64 from her captain Kycia Knight and enabled Windward Islands Women to topple last year’s double crown champions Barbados Women by 44 runs at the Conaree Cricket Centre.

Knight struck seven fours and one six from 62 balls, but the Barbadians were restricted in their chase to 189 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs.

The retired West Indies Women’s wicketkeeper-batsman propped up the top half of her side’s batting, and fellow international Aaliyah A Alleyne gave proof of her all-round ability with a resolute 49 not out that held the bottom half together and got Barbados Women to a respectable total.

Earlier, Fletcher, batting at four, rescued the Windwards with an 81-ball innings that included only six fours, anchoring them to 233 for nine off 50 overs.

The long-serving West Indies Women’s leg-spinner proved she was more than handy with the bat when she added 70 for the fifth wicket with fellow international Zaida James that stabilised the innings after the Windwards appeared shaky on 112 for four in the 28th over.

James made 24, opener Namiah Marcellin got 30, and Carena Noel added 20.
Connell was the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with four for 38 from her allotted 10 overs.

Trinidad & Tobago Women condemned hosts Leeward Islands Women to a winless tournament when they completed a four-wicket win in the other match at Warner Park.

West Indies Women’s all-rounder Lee-Ann Kirby made 48 and opener Samara Ramnath got 35, and T&T Women defied a three-wicket burst from Amanda Edwards to successfully chased 152 to win with 53 balls remaining.

Earlier, familiarity bred success when T&T-born, West Indies Women’s discard Reniece Boyce led the way for the home team with 48 and Tonya Martin made 39.

Caneisha Isaac bagged three for 33 from 8.2 overs, and Steffie Soogrim and Ramnath took two wickets each.
The teams now turn their attention to the Twenty20 Blaze, which opens on Sunday with all the matches being played at Warner Park in the heart of the city.

Leewards face defending champions Barbados in the opening match starting at 10 a.m., then T&T meet Guyana at 2:30 p.m., and Jamaica tackle Windwards in the night capper at 7 p.m.