Skipper Hayley Matthews holds her nerve as the defending champions get over the line in a low-scoring thriller against Guyana Amazon Warriors
Barbados Royals led by skipper Hayley Matthews were crowned as the champions of the 2nd edition of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), a domestic franchise tournament in the West Indies. They defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors led by skipper Stafanie Taylor in the final by eight runs to clinch their maiden WCPL title.
The upcoming edition is the 3rd edition of the tournament since it’s inception in the year 2022. The Guyana Amazon Warriors led by skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill were up against the Barbados Royals led by skipper Hayley Matthews in the tournament opener at the Brain Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Barbados Royals skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the Guyana Amazon Warriors openers, Natasha McLean and skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill got their side off to a good start with an 18-run opening partnership. Qiana Joseph picked up the wicket of Natasha McLean to provide the first breakthrough for Barbados Royals. Skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Barbados Royals.
Erin Burns joined Stafanie Taylor at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 41-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Qiana Joseph returned and cleaned up Erin Burns to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side. Shemaine Campbelle joined Stafanie Taylor at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 31-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side to the 100-run mark.
Aaliyah Alleyne cleaned up Stafanie Taylor to provide the 4th breakthrough for Barbados Royals. Guyana Amazon Warriors were eventually restricted to 118/9 in their quota of overs. They suffered a horrible collapse as they lost their next five wickets for just 18 runs. Stafanie Taylor (38 off 36 balls), Shemaine Campbelle (16 off 21 balls), Erin Burns (15 off 19 balls), and Natasha McLean (11 off 12 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Aaliyah Alleyne (4-0-21-3), Qiana Joseph (4-0-14-2), Amanda-Jade Wellington (4-0-19-2), and Hayley Matthews (3-0-19-2) were the top performers with the bat for Barbados Royals. Chasing a target of 119, the Barbados Royals openers, wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne, and skipper Hayley Matthews got their side off to a good start with a 29-run opening partnership.
Shabnim Ismail picked up the wicket of the wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne to provide the first breakthrough for Guyana Amazon Warriors. Barbados Royals suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 21 runs. Qiana Joseph joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 42-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark.
Shabnim Ismail returned and cleaned up Qiana Joseph to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side. Barbados Royals suffered another mini collapse as they lost the next four wickets for just 23 runs. Cherry-Anne Fraser joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease with their side in deep trouble at 115/9. The duo held their nerve to take the defending champions over the line in a low-scoring, edge-of-the-seat thriller with one wicket in hand and one ball to spare. Skipper Hayley Matthews hit the winning runs for her side.
Skipper Hayley Matthews (61* off 58 balls), and Qiana Joseph (24 off 20 balls), were the top performers with the bat for Barbados Royals. Shabnim Ismail (4-0-16-4), Nyia Latchman (3.5-0-18-1), and Erin Burns (4-0-25-1) were the top performers with the ball for Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Barbados Royals skipper Hayley Matthews was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round performances. She returned with impressive match figures (3-0-19-2) with the ball and a brilliant unbeaten half-century (61* off 58 balls) with the bat. She played a crucial role in helping the defending champions get over the line.