By E. Glenford Prescott
The Windward Islands overcame late nerves and a battling Jamaica to earn a hard-fought 2-wicket win at the Sion Hill Playing Field to chalk up a third consecutive win when the West Indies Womens Super50 continued on Monday.
SCORES: Jamaica 84 (35.2 overs) Windward Islands 84/8 (36.2 overs).
The Windwards were put in a position of dominance by their bowlers, led by captain Afy Fletcher, after winning the toss and inserting their opponents, who they dismissed for 83.
The Windwards began their response just before lunch in search of what should have been an easy target of 84 in 50 overs at a rate of less than 2 runs an over. They were off to a troubled start when the struggling Juliana Nero (5) was LBW by Jamaica captain and offspinner, Stafanie Taylor with the total on 10.
It was soon 15/2 when the in-form Cordel Jack (1) was bowled by Vanessa Watts in the 9th over.
The Windwards went to lunch 18/2 off 12 overs as the Jamaica spinners set about making a fist of the contest.
Swayline Williams was joined by captain Fletcher (23) and the pair went about repairing the innings and set their team on the road to victory with a partnership of 38 in 11 overs before the latter went at 53/3.
The Windwards batters then appeared to wilt under the pressure as they lost wickets in a heap to slip to 65/6 when Williams’ (23) 70-ball inning came to an end when she lofted a catch to mid-off. The Windwards then had lost 4/12 in the space of 8 overs. It was then left to the tail-enders to rake and scrape every run in a tense final period with the Windwards losing a further 2 wickets at 69/7 and 84/8.
Pacer Chedean Nation 3/19, Vanessa Watts 2/25 and Taylor 1/14 from 10 overs all chipped in to make the chase tight and tense.
Earlier, Fletcher maximising the help offered by the Sion Hill, square-ended with the impressive figures of 9.2-1-13-7 as she picked up the last 7 wickets to earn the player of the match award and keep her team on course for a place in the final.
Trinidad and Tobago vs Leewards
In another match, this time at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago had another comprehensive victory when they whipped the Leeward Islands by 8 wickets, before lunch.
The Leeward Islands who have been made to struggle in all their matches were shot out for 76 in 28.3 overs with Anisa Mohammed having figures of 4 for 18 from 8.3 overs, Karishma Ramharack 2/10 and Caniesha Isaac 2/26.
The Trinidadian then galloped to 79 for 2 in just 10.4 overs, with contributions coming from Britney Cooper 27, Stacy Ann King 19 and Felicia Walters 18* not out.
Barbados vs Guyana
Barbados put in another good all-round performance to brush aside Guyana by 42 runs at the Park Hill Playing Field for their third win on the trot.
Barbados, who were asked to bat, made 145 in 44.3 overs with Deandra Dottin making 47 (5×4, 1×6) off 85 balls, while Shakera Selma 30 and the impressive Hayley Matthews 20 added their contribution. Tremayne Smartt took 3/15 from 10 overs, Erva Giddings 2/22 and Subrina Monroe 2 /36. Guyana, in reply, could only manage 104 all out in 39.4 overs after being 98/5 at one stage. Shamaine Campbell’s 25 and Tremayne Smartt 16 were their principal scorers with Extras contributing 28. Shamilia Connell 4/16 from 8 overs, Aaliyah Allene 3 for 13 from 7.4 overs and Keila Elliot 2 for 35 combined to derail the Guyana chase.
Today (Wednesday), the two unbeaten teams, Barbados and Windward Islands, will go head-to-head at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago square off with Jamaica at Park Hill and Guyana meet the Leeward Islands at Sion Hill Playing Field.