Barbados march into Women’s Super-50 cricket final

Barbados has marched into Sunday’s final of Cricket West Indies Women’s Super-50 cricket competition, after a comprehensive six-wicket win over the previous undefeated Windwards Islands last Wednesday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Set 84 to win, Barbados erased the target with the loss of four wickets.

Leading the charge was Kyshona Knight, 28 not out, while Hayley Matthews struck 21, at the top of the order.

The Windwards’ captain, Afy Fletcher, was again her side’s leading bowler, taking 3 for 19.

In a rain affected match, the Windwards were dismissed for 83 from 24.3 overs, in the 27 over per side affair.

The Windwards batting was imploded by Shamilia Connell, who picked off 4 for 15 and Shakera Selman’s 2 for 8.

Nerissa Crafton, with a purposeful 26, in which she struck 5 fours and Quiana Joseph with 25, sparked an otherwise dismal Windwards batting.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago, who like the Windwards were seeking a place in the final, had an eight-run win over Jamaica at the Park Hill venue.

Reniece Boyce led Trinidad and Tobago’s batting with 31, as they reached 111 for 8 from the 24 overs allocated to the teams, following a late start because of a wet outfield.

Shanel Daley got 3 for 15 and Stafanie Taylor, 2 for 31, among the wickets for Jamaica.

Trinidad and Tobago’s bowlers were able to restrict the Jamaicans’ batting, by dismissing them for 103 in 22.4 overs.

Karishma Ramharack had 3 for 10, to lead the defending champions’ hard fought success.

It will be a virtual semifinal when the Windwards meet Trinidad and Tobago today at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Trinidad and Tobago had suffered an opening round loss to Barbados, and it is all to play for when the two meet on Sunday in the grand finale.

And, in Wednesday’s other match at the end of the table, played at the Sion Hill Playing Field, Guyana recorded their first win by beating the Leewards by seven wickets.

The Leewards were bundled out for 41 in 17.4 overs. Bowling for Guyana, Subrina Munroe took 3 for 10, Akaze Thompson, 3 for 14 and Treymane Smartt, 2 for 8.

In reply, Guyana rushed to 43 for 3 in 15.2 overs.

Today’s other matches, pit Barbados versus the Leewards at Sion Hill, while at Park Hill, Guyana and Jamaica battle.

The West Indies women are fine-tuning their skills for the ICC World Cup that takes place in England June 24 to July 23, this year.