Tridents Women sneak into CWPL play-offs despite loss

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Defending champions Barbados Tridents Women booked their place in the play-offs of the Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League despite suffering a five-wicket defeat to the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women.

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

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

Fortunately for the Tridents, the Amazon Warriors failed to overhaul the target within 15 overs, the margin required to eliminate the Barbadians and allow Jamaica Empress Women to advance on a superior net run rate.

As a result, the Tridents and Amazon Warriors will meet again in tomorrow’s Eliminator for a place in the final against Trinbago Knight Riders Women the following day.

Shemaine Campbelle led the Amazon Warriors to victory with 36 off 28 balls.

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

They appeared set for a total in excess of 180, but immediately after reaching her half-century, Matthews offered Sheneta Grimmond a return catch, shifting the momentum of the contest.

Grimmond then removed new acquisition Harleen Deol for just one, leaving the Tridents 87 for three in the 13th over.

Navgire and Maddy Green added 36 runs for the fourth wicket, but after Erin Burns had Navgire caught behind for 38 off 29 balls, Suzie Bates was left to guide the innings to a competitive total, scoring an unbeaten 22 from 11 deliveries.

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

The top five Amazon Warriors batters then made meaningful contributions to provide a solid platform for the successful chase.

Led by Tazmin Brits’ 46 off 41 balls and Campbelle’s 36 from 28, the visitors stitched together crucial partnerships to remain in control.

Brits shared an opening stand of 47 with Eboni Brathwaite, who made 22, and added a further 34 runs with Burns as the Amazon Warriors reached 81 for one at the halfway stage.

Both Brits and Burns were eventually dismissed by spinner Afy Fletcher, but Nadine de Klerk chipped in with an important 20, while captain Chloe Tryon and Realanna Grimmond ensured the visitors completed victory with six balls to spare.