KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC )– Nyia Latchman delivered a devastating spell of leg spin bowling that crippled Windward Islands Women and set up a straightforward victory for Guyana Women in the Women’s T20 Blaze here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Saturday.
Latchman tore through the Windward Islands’ lower order, grabbing 4-8 from her two overs to limit them to 61 for nine in a contest that was reduced to 13 overs due to persistent showers.
Needing 65 to win due to the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method, Guyana eased to 65 for three off 12 overs.
There was nothing to suggest the Windward Islands Women would be dismissed so cheaply when openers Nerissa Crafton and Japhina Joseph were busy adding 29 runs for the first wicket.
However, Sheneta Grimmond bowled Crafton and Jannillea Glasgow for 14 and one respectively, to leave the score 33 for two.
But from a score of 46 for two, the Windward Islands shockingly lost their last eight wickets for 15 runs, thanks mainly in part to Latchman.
Joseph was needlessly run out for 17, before Ashmini Munisar snared the wickets of Afy Fletcher and Ashlene Edward in the space of three balls, to see the Windward Islands slip to 51 for five.
Latchman then accounted for the wickets of Earnisha Fontaine, Carena Noel, Zaida James and Niesha Cherry for the addition of just 10 runs to wrap up the innings.
Realeanna Grimmond (30) and Shabika Gajnabi, who scored an unbeaten 26, then steered their side to victory in a 54-run partnership for the second wicket.
And even though Guyana lost Grimmond and captain Shemaine Campbelle in quick succession, the result was never in doubt as they reached their target with an over to spare.