(SportsMax) Barbados Women made it two wins in as many games in the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup, thanks to twin sisters Kycia and Kyshona Knight, who both registered half-centuries before their bowlers sealed a comfortable 56-run victory over Windward Islands at Warner Park yesterday.
The experienced duo stood tall in the face of an early wobble, crafting a crucial 115-run third-wicket partnership that laid the foundation for Barbados’ total of 181 in 43.3 overs.
Kycia, who opened the batting, played a steady knock of 63 off 91 balls, which included eight boundaries, while Kyshona continued her fine form in the tournament as she contributed a patient 51 from 99 balls, which included three boundaries.
In response, Windward Islands faltered under the pressure of Barbados’ disciplined bowling attack and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 125 in 30.5 overs.
The combined efforts of Naijanni Cumberbatch (3-20), Keila Elliott (2-14), and captain Aaliyah Alleyne (2-13) proved too much for Windward Islands’ batters to handle.
After being sent in to bat, Barbados had a shaky start, as they lost both Asabi Callender (zero) and Trishan Holder (one) with just nine runs on the board. However, the Knight twins showed their class and experience, consolidating the innings with a mix of caution and aggression.
Despite the Windward Islands bowlers probing for an early breakthrough, Kycia and Kyshona kept their composure, rotating the strike effectively while finding the occasional boundary. Their partnership frustrated Windward Islands’ bowlers, who found no answers to the steady accumulation of runs.
It wasn’t until the 32nd over that Windward Islands found some relief when Jannillea Glasgow removed Kycia after she reached her half-century. That wicket triggered a mini-collapse, with Cumberbatch falling for a duck and Kyshona soon departing via a run-out after reaching her fifty.
Alleyne attempted to push the scoring rate but fell leg-before-wicket to veteran spinner Afy Fletcher. From there, Allison Gordon’s unbeaten 13 was the only other significant contribution as Barbados lost their final wickets in quick succession.
Pearl Etienne (2-22), Glasgow (2-24), Zaida James (2-30), and Fletcher (2-37) shared the spoils for Windward Islands.
Chasing 182 for victory, Windward Islands had a promising start, with openers Ashlene Edwards (31) and Earnisha Fontaine (14) putting on 37 runs for the first wicket. However, once Edwards was dismissed, the innings unraveled rapidly.
A string of wickets followed as Barbados’ bowlers turned the screws. Fletcher (29), Glasgow (11), and Etienne (11) managed to reach double figures, but none could form the partnerships needed to challenge the target, and they inevitably crumbled inside 31 overs as Barbados completed another convincing win.
The victory pushed Barbados to the top of the standings and strengthened their bid for the title, while Windward Islands, who started the day at the helm, was relegated down the order.
