Women’s T20 Blaze tournament…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, (CMC) – Unbeaten Jamaica inched even closer to their capture of the Women’s T20 Blaze and a double in the tournament, when they thrashed closest rivals Trinidad and Tobago by eight wickets in the first game of a triple-header here Saturday.

Entering the game on a run of three successive wins, the recently crowned Super50 Cup champions restricted T&T to 98 for eight off their 20 overs, and then made light work of their target, winning with 17 balls to spare.

The big-hitting Natasha McLean top-scored with 41 from 34 balls to inspire the run chase, while West Indies teammates Rashada Williams (29) and Chedean Nation (21 not out) provided support.

Jamaica entered the contest on 13 points, four clear of T&T and Leeward Islands, both on nine, and have now widened their lead.

Leewards can still remain on Jamaica’s heels, however, but will need to defeat Windward Islands in the nightcap game at 1900hrs.

Sent in at Warner Park, T&T were held together by a courageous unbeaten 44 from their captain and opener Britney Cooper, one of only two players to reach double figures.

She faced 53 balls and struck four fours, but lacked support as wickets tumbled around her, and a 23-run, fifth-wicket stand with Karishma Ramharack (15) proved the best of the innings.

Off-spinner Vanessa Watts led the Jamaica attack with three for 10, while seamer Chinelle Henry (2-19) and off-spinner Stafanie Taylor (2-31) finished with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Jamaica dominated through McLean, the right-hander belting eight fours in a 48-run opening partnership with Williams, who faced 41 deliveries and counted two fours.

When she holed out to Cooper at deep mid-wicket off off-spinner Shalini Samaroo in the eighth over, Williams put on a further 47 for the second over with Nation to put Jamaica on the doorsteps of victory.