Jamaica crowned CWI T20 Blaze Champions

…Barbados settle for second, T&T third

By Timothy Jaikarran

Action in the fifth and final round of the CWI T20 Blaze saw some drama, with Jamaica eventually emerging as winners, while Barbados copped second place and Trinidad and Tobago third place.

For both Barbados and Jamaica, the results were tight, as, on Monday, Barbados defeated Jamaica to remain table-toppers. But in a twist of tales, Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados in their final game, to have the equation opened, and Jamaica needed to win to claim the title. And Jamaica did not disappoint, they practically destroyed their opponents to stand their ground and claim the coveted T20 Blaze title.

Jamaica v Windward Islands
In this encounter, a rampaging Jamaica attacked from ball one. Despite Rashada Williams being run out for six, Stafanie Taylor and Natasha McLean went on a rampage, putting together a whopping 145-run partnership to frustrate their opponents. McLean, being the more aggressive player, was able to score 83 off 54 deliveries at a strike rate of 153.7. Her innings included nine boundaries and three towering maximums.

Taylor, on the other hand, played a supporting role with 56 off 51 deliveries. When both players were dismissed, it was already over 18.2. The Windward ladies managed to bag three quick wickets to put a halt to the Jamaican innings, but the damage was already done, and Jamaica ended on 170-5.

Bowling for the Windward Islands, Saneldo Willett took 2-31 and Amanda Edwards took 2-11.
Heading into the chase, Jamaica didn’t have to fight hard. As a matter of fact, defending 171 was child’s play. With pacey bowling from Chinelle Henry and a good spin bowling attack, the Jamaicans forced their opponents to play Test cricket. At the end of the 20 overs Windward Islands could only afford 46-3, Shawnisha Hector remained unbeaten on 17 off 31, and Saneldo Willett made 16 off 40 balls.
Bowling for Jamaica, Chinelle Henry took 1-3, Neisha-Ann Waisome took 1-9 and Corrine Howell took 1-13.

Barbados v T&T
The battle was fierce in game one, as both teams gave their all on the field. They each pulled out all the stops, as one team wanted to lift the trophy while the other wanted to cement themselves in third position.
Batting first, Trinidad were off to a horrid start, losing Lee-Ann Kirby for a golden duck, Britney Cooper for 22, and Karishma Ramharack for 7 off 21 balls, to have them at 39-3. Reneice Boyce (14) got them to 68-4, but Hayley Matthews struck at key intervals in the game to pin the Trinidadians down.
Anisa Mohammed and Rachael Vincent dug deep to put together a resistant partnership of 34, and when Mohammed was dismissed by Shakera Selman for 20, Vincent rallied along and remained unbeaten on 22, but Trinidad could muster only 108-7 off their allotted 20 overs.
Bowling for Barbados, Shakera Selman took 2-30, Hayley Matthews took 2-25, Shanika Bruce took 1-15 and Aaliyah Williams took 1-12.
In the chase, Barbados needed 108 off 120 balls, and it seemed as though the Bajans would have won their game easily, but Trinidad had other plans. They cranked up the heat early, and Kycia Knight was the first wicket to fall, compliments of Kirby.
Matthews then struck a few lusty blows, but departed for 18 off the bowling of Kamara Ragoobar. Ragoobar then returned to bag another wicket to pin the Bajans down, but there was no fairytale story here, as the Trinidadians continued to chip away at Barbados. More so, when the equation dropped to 42 off 21 balls, Anisa Mohammed’s three wickets proved vital to keep Barbados at bay, restricting them to 89-7 in their 20 overs.
Bowling for Trinidad and Tobago, Anisa Mohammed took 3-11, Kamara Ragoobar took 2-16, Lee Ann Kirby took 1-15 and Karishma Ramharack took 1-11.