Barbados opened their defense of the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup with a six-wicket victory over the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas at Warner Park on Monday. There were also wins for the Windward Islands over Guyana and Jamaica over the Leeward Islands as the tournament got going in St Kitts.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Red Force Divas’ innings never got going except for a valiant effort with the bat from debutant Shunelle Sawh who top-scored with 68 from 113 balls. Sawh a member of the West Indies Rising Stars Under 19 team hit six boundaries as she shared a 60-run stans with Britney Cooper who made a quick 32 off 48, as the Red Force Divas posted 161 all out.
Barbados debutant, right-arm medium pacer Allison Gordon and experienced leg-spinner Keila Elliott ran riot on the Red Force batting line-up. Gordon bagged the wickets of Shania Abdool 2, Reneice Boyce 0, Djenaba Joseph 6 and Anisa Mohammed 16, to finish with figures of 10-1-36-4 and Elliot 9-0-40-4.
When Barbados batted, twins Kyshona and Kycia Knight posted a 74-run partnership as the defending champs reached 162-4 to win by six wickets. Kycia made 37 (66) and Kyshona was run-out soon after for 35 (61). Then the experienced pair of Shakera Selman and Aaliyah Alleyne had a 72-run partnership as Barbados secured victory in 38.4 overs. Alleyne finished unbeaten on 48 (51) while Selman was with her on 21 (43). Bowling for the Red Force Divas, Steffie Soogrim finished with figures of 9-0-36-2.
Gordon expressed her delight in winning the Player of the Match award, saying
I am elated and happy that I got the opportunity and made the most of it. I just tried to bowl the ball hard lengths and attack the stumps to bowl the correct lengths. Once you hit the correct lengths, you were getting the batters in trouble.
Fletcher on song as Windwards makes easy work of Guyana
Captain Afy Fletcher steered the Windward Islands to an easy nine-wicket victory over Guyana at Conaree to take early points. Winning the toss and batting first, Guyana mustered 79 all out in 27.1 overs.
They were undone by left-arm spinner Qiana Joseph who finished with figures of 10-3-18-4. Realeanna Grimmond 20 and Mandy Magru 18 were the only Guyanese batters to reach double figures. Fletcher was also lethal with her leg spin with figures of 5.1-2-10-2.
Fletcher then returned with the bat to finish unbeaten on 44 from 52 balls, Namiah Marcellin 29 not out was with her when victory came in 21.2 overs.
Whyte takes the first five-for as Jamaica beat Leewards
Celina Whyte’s medium pace was too much for the Leeward Islands as Jamaica secured a six-wicket victory at St. Paul’s ground. Winning the toss and batting first, Terez Parker 32 and Divya Saxena 30 took the Leeward Islands to 120 all out in 28.4 overs. Whyte’s pace proved too much for the home team, as she finished with figures of 8.4-1-31-5 followed by Vanessa Watts with 8-0-23-4.
Natasha McLean led the Jamaica run-chase with the bat finishing on 33 not out, next best was Rashada Williams with 31 as Jamaica reached victory in 24.1 overs. Amanda Edwards was the best Leewards bowler, with figures of 5-0-17-2.
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