Massy WCPL: Barbados Royals defend title in low-scoring thriller

The Barbados Royals have captured their second Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in three years, after defeating the Trinbago Knight Riders by 4 wickets on their home turf at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
A sensational bowling performance from eventual ‘player of the match’ Aaliyah Alleyne did the trick for the Royals, after Captain Hayley Matthews had their rivals bat first following her win of the toss.
The Knight Rider suffered an early blow when Matthews claimed the wicket of her opposite number, bowling Deandra Dottin through the gates for 6 from 8 balls in the second over.
Before the Knight Riders could come up for air, Chinelle Henry leapt to catch Jemimah Rodrigues off her own bowling, dismissing the experienced Indian batter for 2 from 6.

Now in a spot of bother, opener Jannillea Glasgow and Shikha Pandey managed to strike up a mini-partnership that got the Knight Riders past the 50-run mark. The third-wicket partnership spanned 43 runs, but the floodgates would opened for TKR after Aaliyah Alleyne had Glasgow caught by Amanda Jade Wellington, running back from the 30-yard circle.
Glasgow’s 24 from 32 became only the second highest score on the TKR card, as Pandey went on to hit 28 from 31 deliveries before falling victim to Alleyne, who rattled her stumps.
Alleyne claimed 2 more wickets to end with figures of 4-21 from 4 overs, leaving the Trinbago Knight Riders at 93-8 from their 20 overs, and ensuring a comfortable chase for the Royals.

Compliments of Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, the Royals had a fiery start to the chase, leaving the Knight Riders hunting answers to stop the opposing opening duo. The answers were eventually found in 16-year-old Samara Ramnath, who claimed the big wicket of Hayley Matthews in the first ball of her spell.
At 48-1, the Royals were still comfortable, as Qiana Joseph went on the charge as soon as she reached the middle. However, nerves were soon rattled in the Royals camp as Trinidad’s Shamilia Connell pulled off two brilliant catches on the boundary off Ramnath and Anisa Mohamed’s bowling to send Joseph and Aaliyah Alleyne back to the dugout in quick succession.

At the other end, Athapaththu was resolute for the Royals. A disturbed stump, runout and lbw later, TKR finally looked like they were finding their groove in the championship match. However, it was a little too late as the small total was chipped away by Athapaththu and company.
The Sri Lankan skipper later led the Royals to their second WCPL title in 15 overs, having lost 6 wickets.
As one would expect, Matthews was named ‘player of the tournament’ while also scooping up the accolade of highest wicket taker for her 11 scalps across the competition.
In novelty awards, Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Karishma Ramharack received the best catch accolade, while Alleyne claimed the one for the best celebration.