At this point, it is safe to say that the Barbados team are invincible, winning all their matches from the inception.
The Barbadians’ latest triumph came against second-best Trinidad and Tobago when Deandra Dottin starred in a seven-wicket win. Trinidad and Tobago, batting first, scored 136-6 in 20 overs while Barbados reached 137-3 in 15.3 overs.
Barbados Captain Hayley Matthews won the toss and elected to field first under glorious sunshine in the first of three matches scheduled. The in-form Trinidadian opener, Stacy Ann King and Lee Ann Kirby added 28 runs for the opening partnership. Kirby was the first dismissed for seven via the run out route by Matthews.
Player of the Match Neisha Ann Waisome
Britney Cooper then partnered King and the duo consolidated with a 34-run partnership before the left-handed Stacy Ann King fell for a solid 30 from 26 balls, inclusive of five boundaries, when she was trapped in front by Shakera Selman. Rachel Vincent (03) fell to the lively Dottin at 75-3 in over number 11.
Cooper, known for her innovative shots with the bat, was Dottin’s next wicket at 86-4; she perished for 31 from 24 balls, hitting two fours. The Trinidadians’ scoring rate were not fluent, as Reniece Boyce soaked up 11 balls for her six runs before she was out caught and bowled by Selman.
At the penultimate ball of the innings, Felicia Walters was run out for eight by Aaliyah Alleyne as Trinidad and Tobago finished with 136-6 in 20 overs. Captain Merissa Aguilleira remained unbeaten on 29 from 26 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Dottin was the star with the ball with figures of 2-9 in four overs, bowling 17 dot balls. She was well-supported by Windies fast bowler Selman, who grabbed 2-18 in four overs.
In reply, Barbados had the poorest of starts when they lost Matthews, who had a bad bay with the ball earlier, for a duck, third ball of the innings. She was out caught by Karishma Ramharack off the bowling of Anisa Mohammed. Kycia Knight and opener Danielle Small led the resurgence with a 41-run partnership before Small was out for a run-a-ball 15 hitting three fours.
Kycia Knight fell for 28, smashing two sixes and two fours, before she was run out with the score on 66-3 in 8.1 overs. After that wicket, Dottin dented the hopes of the Trinidadians with a game-changing innings. She was well supported by Kyshona Knight.
Deandra Dottin starred in Barbados’ win
The duo added an unbeaten 71 runs to spur the Barbadians to their fourth win in as many matches in the T20 Blaze, as the Barbadians seek to win the tournament. Player of the Match Dottin remained unbeaten on 52 from 32 balls, timing five boundaries and smashing two sixes.
Windies off-spinner, Mohammed (1-22) and Lee Ann Kirby (1-14) were the lone wicket takers for Trinidad. With four victories, Barbados are likely to complete the double, winning the T20 Blaze championship; they will meet Guyana in the final round today, Wednesday, April 3, from 19:00h.
Meanwhile, in the second match of the day, Leeward Islands were bowled out for 61 in 18.4 overs. The pick of Jamaica bowlers was Neisha Ann Waisome, who had 3-10 in four overs, bowling 19 dot balls. Off-spinner Vanessa Watts had 2-15 in her quota of overs.
In reply, the Jamaicans finished with finesse, with Natasha McLean sealing the match with a six over mid-wicket. The openers achieved the target in 6.4 overs, scoring 67-0; Jodian Morgan scored an unbeaten 30 from 24 balls while Natasha McLean scored 28 from 16 balls.
