New Zealander Sophie Devine thumped a sensational unbeaten hundred, but it went in vain as Barbados Royals Women staged a daring run chase to beat Guyana Amazon Warriors Women by six wickets yesterday.
Devine’s 103 not out from just 64 deliveries propelled the Amazon Warriors to a competitive 166 for two off their 20 overs at Kensington Oval, but the Royals got 47 from Gaby Lewis, 30 from Laura Harris, and an unbeaten 29 from Erin Burns as they batted in partnerships to reel in their target with two balls to spare.
They required nine runs from the final over, and Burns made sure of the result by twice getting seamer Suzie Bates to the ropes.
Choosing to bat first in the opening game of the women’s CPL, the Amazon Warriors were carried by the 33-year-old Devine, who belted ten fours and five sixes in a dominant knock.
Crucially, she inspired a 69-run opening stand with Bates (23) and a 62-run second wicket partnership with Captain Stafanie Taylor, who made 22.
Towards the end, she put on a further 35 with Natasha McLean (13 not out) in an unbroken third-wicket partnership.
Devine needed 41 balls to reach her first fifty but then motored to her second off just 23 deliveries, reaching her landmark with a six off the final ball of the inning.
In reply, Lewis anchored the top order, putting on 40 for the first wicket with captain Hayley Matthews (23) and a further 53 for the second wicket with Rashada Williams (23), before perishing at the end of the 13th over after punching eight fours in a 35-ball knock.
The Royals stumbled when Lewis and Williams fell in the space of two
balls in different overs, but two critical stands then saw them over the line.
Harris, whose 12-ball cameo included three fours and three sixes, added 38 for the fourth wicket with Burns, who faced just 15 balls and counted three fours and a six.
And when Harris fell in the 16th, Burns took responsibility for the chase by inspiring a 38-run, unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Chinelle Henry (10 not out).
