The third match of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2026 at Bridgetown unfolded as a masterclass in disciplined bowling and clinical chasing, with the Trinbago Knight Riders delivering a comprehensive performance against Jamaica Empress.
The contest began with Jamaica Empress taking the crease, but their innings immediately hit rough waters. Opener Amy Hunter fell for a four-ball duck after a sharp run-out executed by Jannillea Glasgow. Before the team could catch its breath, legendary Australian batter Meg Lanning was dismissed for just 6 off 7 balls, caught behind by Yastika Bhatia off Marizanne Kapp’s opening burst. Reduced to 7/2 inside two overs, Jamaica Empress needed stability, which came in the form of a 29-run partnership between Rashada Williams and captain Stafanie Taylor.
Taylor ground out 9 runs from 13 deliveries before off-spinner Karishma Ramharack broke the stand, catching Taylor off her own bowling. Ramharack kept the pressure firm, triggering a middle-order collapse. Djenaba Joseph fell for 1 off 5 balls, caught by Laura Harris off Ramharack, and Zaida James was trapped leg-before for a duck just two balls later, leaving the Empress reeling at 44/5. Williams attempted to anchor the innings with a gritty 40 off 47 balls (including six boundaries), but her dismissal by Laura Harris at 75/6 shattered any hope of a grand total.
Harris promptly bowled Aaliyah Alleyne for a duck, and Deandra Dottin chipped in by removing Rosemary Mair for 1. A late 24-run unbeaten ninth wicket stand between Chinelle Henry (22 off 26 balls) and Syeda Aroob Shah (12 off 12 balls) pushed the score to 100/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Trinbago’s bowlers were outstanding across the board. Marizanne Kapp delivered a frugal spell of 1/6 in 4 overs (including two maidens), while Karishma Ramharack led the wicket column with 3/11 in 3 overs. Laura Harris impressed with 2/10 in 2 overs, and skipper Deandra Dottin grabbed 1/25 in 4 overs. Shikha Pandey (0/22 in 4 overs), Steffie Soogrim (0/12 in 2 overs), and Samara Ramnath (0/10 in 1 over) provided disciplined support to restrict the scoring.
Chasing 101, Trinbago Knight Riders made light work of the target. Openers Yastika Bhatia and Laura Harris set the tone with a brisk 35-run opening stand in under five overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba provided the sole breakthrough for Jamaica Empress, having Harris stumped by Amy Hunter for a rapid 22 off 18 balls. Captain Deandra Dottin then joined Bhatia to put on an aggressive, unbroken 69-run partnership for the second wicket. Bhatia played the anchor-aggressor role to perfection, smashing an unbeaten 57 off 34 balls featuring six boundaries and three maximums.
Dottin added the finishing touches with 22 off 15 balls, sealing an emphatic victory at 104/1 in just 11.1 overs with 53 balls to spare. The Empress bowling attack struggled to stem the run flow; Nonkululeko Mlaba finished with 1/34 in 3 overs, while Rosemary Mair (0/25 in 3 overs), Stafanie Taylor (0/27 in 3 overs), Zaida James (0/13 in 1.1 overs), and Aaliyah Alleyne (0/4 in 1 over) went wicketless in a tough outing.
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