T&T crush Guyana to set up final clash with Jamaica tonight

WICB Regional Women’s T20 Tournament…

— Guyana to play for 5th place

Defending champions, Jamaica beat arch rivals Barbados by two runs in a high intensity and keenly competed under the lights to end the preliminary round of matches with a perfect record. The victory confirmed that Jamaica, who topped Zone B will contest the final this evening at 19:00h at Providence.
Barbados who ended on six points like Trinidad and Tobago but with an inferior net run rate will now contest the third place play-off

against the Windward Islands.
In the final match of round three, Jamaica batted first and posted a challenging 125/4 total thanks to another Captain’s knock of 68 not out from Stafanie Taylor. Her innings spanned 49 balls with seven fours and one six and she was assisted by Chedean Nation who made a responsible 23 from 34 balls. Deandra Dottin used the cool conditions beautifully to pick up two wickets for 18 runs.
In reply, Barbados batters tried desperately to win the match to take their points tally to eight and to book their spot in the final. Shaquana Quintyne made 34, Charlene Taitt 23 and Kycia Knight got 22 but it was the tight bowling that saw the Jamaicans through in heavy Providence dew which made gripping the ball and ground fielding a tedious task. Shanel Daly took 2-12 and Taylor 2-18. Taylor was named Player of the Match.
The second match of the day was highly competitive despite being low scoring. It was a contest between host Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago which ended in favour of the twin island Republic who won by five wickets on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. The win was Trinidad’s second while Guyana remained on one win from three matches. T&T ended on six points to Guyana’s two.
West Indies player Anisa Mohammed inspired the win for the visitors by capturing 4-9 from four overs to restrict the host to 63-8 from 20 overs, before returning with the bat to see her team across the line by five wickets.
The visitors chased down the modest total at eight runs per over, winning with 12 overs to spare reaching 64/5 from eight overs.
Britney Cooper hit a gigantic six and a spectacular boundary that bisected extra cover and mid-off to the delight of the few spectators in her top score of 18. Cooper along with all the other batters seemed in a hurry to reach their target at a good enough net run rate to keep their hopes of playing for top honours intact.
Rachel Vincent, who batted at number five finished on 13 not out and was joined by Mohammed on eight not out when the visitors achieved victory.
Prior to achieving victory, the Guyana bowlers supported by excellent fielding fought their way back into the match as the visitors slipped to 48-5 after being 31-1 at one stage. Captain and West Indies player Tremayne Smartt executed a brilliant run out before taking an outstanding catch to see the back of her opposite number Melissa Aguilleira for naught. Plaffiana Millington, the off spinner, picked up two wickets as she bowled well during this period to give Guyana a chance. However, amidst the scarce, Mohammed and Vincent saw their team home with five wickets in hand.
Besides Millington’s two wickets, Subrina Munroe and Guyana’s leading wicket taker Erva Giddings took a wicket apiece.
Earlier after Guyana won the toss and decided to bat, Mohammed spearheaded the way for Trinidad and ensure their task of chasing would be an easy one. Only opener Melanie Henry and Tremayne Smartt reached double figures as they both scored 14 runs apiece.
The Guyanese batters were all stifled as they were 15 runs at the end of eight overs and 22-2 half way through their innings. Shemaine Campbelle, the leading run scorer for Guyana also failed for the first time this season as she was given out leg before wicket for five.
Leann Kirby, Shenelle Lord and Karishma Kamharack supported Mohammed by taking a wicket each for their side.
The Leewards and Windwards got their first points of the competition courtesy of a no result. Their match was scheduled for 09:00h but due to heavy rain the match started at 11:18h some 138 minutes late. The contest was reduced to 11 overs a-side and the Windwards sent in got to 78/2. Akeria Peters hit a cameo 20 from 11 balls with four fours while Stacy Ann Adams made 19 not out. Juliana Nero was on 16 and looking good when she was hit on the head from a fast bouncer from the Captain of the Leeward Islands, Shawnisha Hector. Nero was forced to retire hurt seeking medical attention. Afy Fletcher made 10 while Rasilia Registe was on six at the end.
When the Leewards were about to begin the reply the pregnant rain clouds burst again and at 12:36h the match was called off. Both teams were awarded two points for the abandonment.
According to the playing conditions, Guyana who finished at the bottom of Zone A will play the Leeward Islands who finished in the cellar position of Zone B. That match will be played at 09:00h today with the winner taking the fifth place. The Windward Islands finished winless but finished marginally above the leewards on net run rate in Zone B and will play Barbados for third place at 14:00h.
Both the Leewards and Windwards finished on two points from the abandoned game in round three on Sunday. The Barbados and the Windwards clash is at 14:00h paving way for the Jamaica versus Trinidad and Tobago clash for regional supremacy under the magnificent Providence lights. Admission is free.