A dominating bowling performance by Barbados followed up by an unbeaten half century from Hayley Matthews ensured Barbados defeat Jamaica by nine wickets while Trinidad and Tobago salvaged an eight wicket win over Windward Islands in a rain hit contest on Friday in the second round of the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze.
Playing at the National Stadium, Providence under lights with heavy dew, Barbados won the toss and elected to field. The defending champions were routed for just 95 in 17.2 overs while the tournament favourites raced to 96-1 in 11.3 overs.
Leading the charge with the ball for the Bajans was 23-year-old seamer, Shanika Bruce who ripped through the top order to finish with 4-16 that earned her the player of the match award.
Bruce got the ball to nip back in to the Jamaicans who seemed dumbfounded when coming up against her as she scattered the stumps of Natasha McLean (06), Chinelle Henry (04) and Chadean Nation (01) and leave them reeling at 24-4 at the end of the powerplay six overs.
Off-spinner, Matthews got into the attack and accounted for Stafanie Taylor who attempted a sweep shot and walked after faintly tickling the ball into the gloves of Kycia Knight for a 14-ball six.
The captain was spot on, taking 4-25 but the Super50 champions were countered only by Rashada Williams who remained unbeaten on 28 from 32 balls.
Meanwhile, Barbados looked to be batting on a different surface with Matthews returning to lead her side over the line, courtesy of an unbeaten 58. The 21-year-old captain smashed eight fours and two sixes, both of which were deposited into mid-wicket during her 40-ball innings.
Matthews was dropped on 32 and took a liking to Henry whom she pounded for 20 and 12 runs in her two overs in the time she forged a 58-run opening stand with Danielle Small who was dropped on five at point by Vanessa Watts but didn’t carry on, falling to Taylor caught behind for 13.
Nevertheless, in-form batter, Deandra Dottin wasted little time making a quick-fire 22
not out that saw her hitting two fours and a lone six that was swept through mid-wicket 15 rows atop the Red Stand off of Nation.
Earlier, rain forced the contest between Trinidad and the Windward Islands to be reduced to 14 overs after Windwards won the toss and elected to bat.
As Windwards were 59-3 in 9.4 overs, rain once again intervened and prematurely ended their innings while setting Trinidad a revised target of 58 in eight overs.
Windwards’ top order looked busy at the wicket with Juliana Nero leading the way with 19 not out, supported by Cordel Jack (12), Stacy Ann Adams (14) and Afy Fletcher (13). Off-spinner, Felicia Walters had taken 2-15 when rain interrupted.
In reply, a 17-ball 25 from Stacy Ann King set the foundation for the chase that was completed by Britney Cooper and Reniece Boyce with 20 not out and six not out respectively with one ball to spare.
