Chamari Athapaththu led the charge for Barbados Royals on Tuesday night
Jemimah Rodrigues has lifted Trinbago Knight Riders into the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) final, after a nerve-jangling four-wicket victory over Barbados Royals at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.
Chasing 131 for a place in Thursday’s final, Knight Riders were in big trouble at 43/3, before Rodrigues posted an unbeaten 59 off 50 balls.
The Knight Riders needed six runs off the final over, and a calm Rodrigues hit Hayley Matthews for a boundary on the third delivery, before a single on the next ball ensured their title dreams remained alive.
In what turned out to be a dress rehearsal for the final, Knight Riders were 43/3, but capitalised on sloppy fielding from Royals; Rodrigues receiving a life on 43, when Djenaba Joseph fumbled at short fine leg.
The Trinbago Knight Riders are hopeful of picking up a second WCPL title today
The Knight Riders’ attack had struggled in the tournament, but bowled superbly in the PowerPlay to tear into the Royals’ top-order. Opener Chamari Athapaththu spearheaded a recovery with 70 off 63 to lift Royals to 130/7, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Royals had already clinched a place in the final after winning their opening three matches. But it was high stakes for Knight Riders, who entered the match sitting behind Guyana Amazon Warriors on net run rate.
Play was slightly delayed due to rain, and the Knight Riders were desperate to make the most of the favourable bowling conditions, after winning the toss.
Seamer Shikha Pandey enjoyed the perfect start, after nicking off Matthews in the first over with a full delivery that moved late.
Hayley Matthews will be leading her team’s title defence today
Qiana Joseph lived dangerously, and rode her luck after being dropped by Jess Jonassen at mid-off. But Joseph’s risky innings soon came to an end when she bottom-edged a wild slash off Shamilia Connell, whose spectacular debut for Knight Riders continued when she clean-bowled Aaliyah Alleyne for a duck.
Athapaththu held the innings together, but could not get going, as Royals fell into a lull. The frustrations led to Rashada Williams being dismissed by spinner Samara Ramnath in the 12th over as Royals turned to big-hitter Laura Harris for a spark. But she holed out first ball, leaving the burden on Athapaththu, who accelerated late as Royals finished with momentum.
Knight Riders started their chase disastrously, with the early wickets of Harshitha Samarawickrama and captain Deandra Dottin being taken. Jonassen attempted a rally, but she was run out on the last ball of the powerplay.
Rodrigues and Kycia Knight cleverly worked into gaps, but struggled to hit boundaries. Knight unleashed, only for Naijanni Cumberbatch to take a brilliant catch running in from the boundary.
Jemimah Rodrigues led TKR Women home with an unbeaten 59*
But Rodrigues hit a boundary in the penultimate over, and kept her composure as the Knight Riders celebrated their place in the final with gusto.
Final expectations
Ahead of today’s final clash, TKR Captain Deandra Dottin spoke of the need for execution by the team, and what it would mean to cop another WCPL title. “To be honest, it’s been kinda hard coming from the back, but I think that it’s been very exciting. We actually kept the positive side on and we believe in ourselves that we could’ve gotten to the finals. So, we just continue putting in the hard work and improving each game,” the TKR Women’s Captain shared.
“There is no change, it’s just a matter of keeping the composure; you know, not panicking, and doing the basic things consistently right and just executing.
“It would mean a lot to us as players. I mean, last year wasn’t the best for us, like not reaching the finals, but this year, it’s a new year. so, I think that everybody would be flattered, as well as the TKR fans who support us and the family. So, it would mean a lot,” Dottin concluded.
For the defending champions, Captain Hayley Matthews is hoping déjà vu kicks in, with similar conditions, venue and team from last year’s final.
“I think we’ve played really well. We’ve been pretty confident for the entire season, and I think, even last night, a few players having a rest and we were still able to take the game down to the last over. So, I feel like we’ve been in really good spirits within the group, but we’ve also been playing some really good cricket and having contribution from all over,” Matthews stated, reflecting on the WCPL season thus far.
“100 percent it definitely means we’ve got so much room for improvement, and that we can get so much better as well. I think when you look at our team and you look at our lineup, we definitely haven’t peaked as yet and played our best game of cricket. So, hopefully, that comes in the final.”
Matthews said about her hopes for today’s final, “I think we’ve got a pretty good record here at Brian Lara Cricket Ground. Obviously, winning thee of our four here so far for the year, and going pretty well when we played there last year, winning the final. So, definitely some good memories at the ground, and we’ve got so many similar players as we had in our winning team last season. So, hopefully a bit of déjà vu looking back on that and seeing it again this year.”
Free WCPL final tickets in Trinidad
Meanwhile, the Trinbago Knight Riders, host franchise for this year’s Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), will be giving away all tickets for the final. This initiative gives families the chance to watch the Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals compete for the trophy at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy at no cost.
Fans wanting to attend the game need to visit www.cplt20.com or visit the box offices at Brian Lara Cricket Academy and Queen’s Park Oval to secure their free tickets. Those who had already purchased a ticket for the final would be entitled to a refund.
Pete Russell, CPL CEO, has said: “We are very grateful to the Knight Riders for agreeing to open the doors of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy for all fans. It is so important that the next generation of cricket fans get to watch their heroes in action, and we hope that future CPL and WCPL winners will be there watching the game. The tournament this year has been outstanding, and we are expecting the final to be just as exciting.”
