Tridents Women sneak into play-offs despite loss to Amazon Warriors

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Despite suffering a five-wicket defeat at the hands of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women, defending champions Barbados Tridents Women still managed to qualify for the playoffs of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.

After being sent in to bat at Kensington Oval, the Tridents posted a competitive 158 for seven in 20 overs, led by an even half century from captain Hayley Matthews.

However, the visitors completed a fairly comfortable chase to finish on 159 for five in 19 overs to finish second in the four-team table.

Fortunately for the Tridents, the Amazon Warriors failed to complete the run chase in 15 overs, which would have eliminated them and allowed the Jamaica Empress Women to advance by virtue of a better net run rate.

As a result, the two teams will meet again in the Eliminator on Wednesday for a spot in the finals against the Trinbago Knight Riders Women the following day.

The home side recovered from the early loss of Qiana Joseph for 15 to advance to 83 for one thanks to a 63-run partnership between Matthews and Kiran Navgire.

They would have been eyeing a total in excess of 180, but immediately after reaching her half century, Matthews offered Sheneta Grimmond a return catch to completely change the complexion of the match.

Grimmond then picked up the wicket of new acquisition Harleen Deol for just one to leave the score 87 for three in the 13th over.

Navgire and Maddy Green shared a 36-run stand for the fourth wicket, but once Erin Bruns had Navgire caught behind for 38 off 29 balls, Suzie Bates was left to carry the burden of taking the Tridents to a competitive total, scoring an unbeaten 22 from 11 balls.

For the Amazon Warriors, Grimmond took 3-28 and Burns 2-19.

The top five Amazon Warriors’ batters then made meaningful contributions to give their side a solid platform on which to complete the chase.

Led by Tazmin Brits’ 46 off 41 balls and Shemaine Campbelle’s 36 from 28 balls, the visitors strung together crucial partnerships to keep them in the driver’s seat.

Brits shared an opening partnership of 47 with Eboni Brathwaite, who made 22, and also shared a 34-run stand with Burns that placed the Amazon Warriors in a comfortable position of 81 for one at the halfway stage.

Both Burns and Brits were eventually dismissed by spinner Afy Fletcher, but Nadine de Klerk scored an important knock of 20, and along with captain Chloe Tryon and Realanna Grimmond ensured the Amazon Warriors completed victory with six balls remaining.