Arnos Vale, St. Vincent – April 20, 2017 – Barbados and host Windward Islands recorded impressive wins on the opening day of the 2017 Cricket West Indies Regional Super 50 tournament, being played in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Barbados vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Barbados notched up the first upset of the tournament, when they handed the defending champions, Trinidad and Tobago, a six wicket defeat at the Sion Hill playing field. The encounter was reduced to 46 over per innings, due to overnight and early morning rain. The powerful Barbados unit won the toss and had no hesitation to insert their opponents, at the threat of further interruptions for rain loomed.
The defending champions got into early trouble and were precariously placed at 36 for 3 after 18 overs, before Britney Cooper and skipper Merissa Aguilleira came together and shared a 45 runs 4th wicket partnership. Cooper led the way with the bat for the 2016 champions, with a 59 ball 52, that included a dozen boundaries and a six, while the former West Indies captain contributed a valuable 25. After they were separated, Trinidad and Tobago lost their remaining 6 wickets for 50 runs and ended on 131 all out in 42 overs. Hayley Matthews bagged 4 for 24 from 10 overs while Deandra Dottin took 2 for 19 after bowling six overs.
Barbados were also in early trouble at 17 for 2 in pursuit of their target, before Kyshona Knight and Deandra Dottin steadied the ship with a 65 runs third wicket stand, that laid the platform for the decisive win. Knight scored 56, which was laced with four boundaries and a six, while Dottin added 26. Charlene Taitt was left not out on 19 when the Barbadian target of 132 was achieved in the 38th over, having lost four wickets. Anisa Mohammed was the stand out bowler for Trinidad and Tobago taking 2 for 11 in her 10 overs.
Guyana vs. Windward Islands
At the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, the host, Windward Islands, recorded a five wickets win over Guyana. Asked to take first knock, Guyana battled their way up to 131 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. June Ogle 37 and Shermaine Campbell 26 were Guyana’s principal scorers. Guyana was well placed at 85 for 1, but lost their way as they attempted to up the scoring rate, and lost the next 8 wickets for 46 runs. Akeria Peters 3 for 23 in 8 overs, Afy Fletcher 2 for 18 from 10 overs and Swayline Williams 2 for 32 also in 10 overs, all had disciplined spells for the Windward Islands.
Early wickets continued to be the order of the day, as the Windward Islands were two down inside 5 overs for 25 runs. Cordel Jack and captain Afy Fletcher then came together and consolidated the Windward Islands reply. They both shared a 62 runs 3rd wicket partnership that laid the platform for the victory. Jack led the way with a classy 41 that was decorated with eight boundaries while Fletcher got 24, as the Windward Islands got up to 132 for 5 in 38 overs. Kaysia Shultz 2 for 21 and Erva Giddings 2 for 29 go amongst the wickets for Guyana.
The third opening day matchup between Jamaica and the Leeward Islands was abandoned without a ball being bowled, as the forecasted area of instability that affected the island chain during the past 48 hours, continued to pour rain on the northern Park of the island and left conditions at the Park Hill playing field unfit for cricket.
The next round of matches is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2017. More information on the tournament can be seen by clicking the Women Super 50 link above.
