CWI Women’s T20 Blaze 2022: Matthews keep Barbados on top as Bajans inch one step closer

…T&T keep WI at bay in low scoring thriller

By Timothy Jaikarran

An unbeaten 74 from Hayley Matthews ensured the Barbados Women stayed on top of the points table as they aim to defend their title at the Providence Stadium. Barbados was able to keep the Jamaicans at bay winning by 25 runs. Meanwhile in the Trinidad and Windwards Islands clash, the Trinidadians were able to restrict the Windward Islands in a thriller and take the game by 1 run.

Barbados dominate Jamaica
Batting first Barbados registered a fifty plus run partnership between Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight in 7.4 overs to set the tone. However, Stafanie Taylor managed to break the partnership and cause a disruption of the flow of runs. Kyshona Knight then came to the crease and seventeen balls later found herself back in the pavilion for 10 falling victim to Corrine Howell. With the score now on 76-2, Matthews continued to motor on leading her team from the front as she was rendered no support. The next two wickets fell at 86-3 and 110-4, but neither player offered Matthews anything.

Playing a captains knock she smashed the ball to all parts of the national stadium, picking the gaps with ease. In the end she was able to remain unbeaten on 74 off 63 deliveries which was inclusive of nine boundaries. Barbados ended on 129-4 in their allotted 20 overs, bowling for Jamaica were Stafanie Taylor 1-17, Corrine Howell 2-27 and Vanessa Watts 1-10.

In the chase the Jamaicans gave their all, but it wasn’t enough as they found themselves on the other end of the rope, scoring only 104-4 in their 20 overs. From the get go the lost two quick wickets to have them reeling at 17-2, Aaliyah Alleyne and Shanika Bruce were the chief tacticians as they bowled with pace and power. Chedean nation was the next to follow for 26 and then Taylor for 18 off 27 balls. Jamaica was now at 72-4 and despite the run margin looking getable Barbados managed to strike just at the right moment. They removed Chinnelle Henry for 24 and then a beautiful runout of Jerona Walcott for 14 to turn the tide in their favour. In the end it came down to 26 off 1 ball and the Jamaicans new that the game was over as Barbados continue to maintain their unbeaten streak. Bowling for Barbados was Aaliyah Alleyne 2-20, Shanika Bruce 1-20, Shakera Selman 1-18 and Aaliyah Williams 1-31.

At the beginning of the matchup both teams having played a total of three matches, found themselves locked on twelve points each with the fourth and fifth round left to determine the winner. With Barbados taking the fourth round, they will be aiming to bag their next game against Trinidad and Tobago to defend their title. While Jamaica who have now registered their first loss will be hoping to win their game against Leeward Islands and see Barbados lose their game against Trinidad. From there both teams would have the same number of points and net run rate would have to determine a winner as the crucial action unfolds today at the Providence Stadium.

Windward Islands vs Trinidad and Tobago
In the second afternoon game the Windward Islands took on Trinidad and Tobago as both teams sought to cement the third position slot. Batting first Trinidad as usual found themselves in trouble as unnecessary wickets began to tumble. They found themselves at 31-4 in the early parts of the game and could only muster 88-8 at the end of their 20 overs. Britney Cooper was the top scorer with an unbeaten 47 off 41 that pulled Trinidad out of trouble. Bowling for Windward Islands were Qiana Joseph 3-10, Pearl Etienne 2-17, Afy Fletcher 1-11 and Jannillea Glasgow 1-17.
In the chase the Windwards lost wickets at regular intervals, but they still continued to rally on. They found hope in Zaida James who scored 28 but Anisa Mohamed picked up a couple of wickets to peg the innings back causing a great shakeup in the Windwards camp. An excellent comeback from the Trinidadians caused the equation to be brought down to 3 off 1 ball, and to make matters worse Trinidad were able to keep the Windward Islands at bay winning on 88-7 winning by 1 run.