Women’s T20 Blaze tourney: Guyana remains winless as Barbados and Jamaica dominate

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

A match watched by some 50 vocal fans at Providence, East Bank Demerara ended with Guyana remaining winless in the Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze tournament, as Jamaica registered a seven-wicket win against the hosts, who suffered a top-order meltdown in posting 90-6 in 20 overs.

Rashada Williams and Chedean Nation led the strong Jamaican response with a 68-run stand, as the Reggae girls recorded three wins in as many matches. Jamaica had suffered early hiccups in their chase of 91, with veteran Tremayne Smartt striking twice, removing the big wickets of Natasha McClean (00) and Stafanie Tayor (10). McLean was bowled all ends up, while the birthday girl Stafanie Taylor was trapped leg-before by the brilliant Smartt.
Chedan Nation was trapped leg-before to Gajnabi for 31, but the win had already been scripted, as Williams ended unbeaten on 41 from 52 balls.
Henry came and struck the winning boundary for Jamaica, who ended on 92-3 in 17.5 overs. Smartt ended with 2-12 from her four overs.
Earlier, Guyana won the toss and opted to bat first. Rain had delayed the toss, but no overs were lost. A top-order collapse saw Guyana being reduced to 36-5 in 10.4 overs.

Lashuna Toussaint made 11, while Katana Mentore (00), Sheneta Grimmond (00) and Shemaine Campbelle (10) fell cheaply to the Jamaican bowlers. Mentore, who had dominated the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) inter-county tournament, was trapped at the crease by West Indies pacer Chinelle Henry.
Grimmond played a loose shot and was caught at backward point by birthday girl Stafanie Taylor; and Shemaine Campbelle attempted to sweep and was trapped leg-before.

Shabika Gajnabi and Cherry-Ann Fraser then joined forces, and the duo added 45 vital runs for the sixth wicket. Fraser, who was suffering from an injury and looked as if she would have been removed with a stretcher, stayed in the middle and battled. She eventually limped off the field for 20 from 27 balls, an innings that included a sweetly timed four. That boundary, which was creamed to extra cover, got Fraser off the mark.
Gajnabi stood tall in her unbeaten 26 from 30 balls, an innings that included one four. Tremayne Smartt (01) and Mandy Mangru (07*) could not find the boundaries, as Guyana ended on 90-6 when the 20 overs expired.
Henry was the star with the ball, claiming 3-12 from four overs.

Barbados beat Windwards by 10 wickets
Led by another collective bowling effort, and runs from Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight, Barbados defeated Windward Islands by ten wickets in the first match of the day. This win marks the third in a row for defending champions Barbados.
Barbados reached 89-0 in 11.3 overs, after restricting Windwards to 87-6 in 20 overs. Matthews was unbeaten on 41, while Knight made 32.

Earlier, Barbados won the toss and opted to field first. Windward Islands lost two quick wickets for 20 runs in 5.4 overs. Japhina Joseph and Qiana Joseph made two and one respectively. Captain Afy Fletcher and teenager Zaida James then joined forces, and the duo began cautiously.
While taking advantage of some sloppy fielding and some extras for Barbados, Fletcher and James then looked to score with more intent.
The duo added 64 runs for the third wicket, and that partnership ended with the score on 84-3 after 18.2 overs. Fletcher was trapped in front for 30 from 46 balls as she, attempted to swing for the hills. She struck a solitary boundary in her stonewall innings.
James, an elegant left-hander, made 23 from 40 balls, an innings that included two fours. Windwards lost their way in the final stages, losing four wickets for three runs and ending on 87-6 in 20 overs.
Shanika Bruce, who claimed three wickets in her last match, followed up that effort with 3-13 from four overs, including one maiden.
She was supported by fellow seamer Aaliyah Alleyne, who claimed 2-6 from her four overs. Shamilia Connell was out of the team today, and Shakera Selman left the field after an illness.
In the end Windwards gained 28 extras.
In reply, Barbados got off to a blazing start. Matthews and Kycia Knight took the Windwards experienced player 40-year-old Ethienne to the cleaners, hitting 24 runs off her two overs. The duo ended unbeaten, with Barbados rolling home to 89-0 from 11.3 overs.
Matthews made 41 not out from 34 balls, while Knight made 32 from 35 balls. Matthews, who looked to clear the in-field, struck four boundaries, while Knight struck two fours and one six as Barbados ended on 89-0 in 11.3 overs.
The tournament will continue on Monday, June 13, with all matches being played at Providence. Jamaica will play Barbados at 10:00h, Windwards will play Trinidad from 14:30h, and Guyana will play Leeward Islands.