BASSETERRE – Former West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor tasted form along with international teammate Rashada Williams as Jamaica remained unbeaten in the Women’s T20 Blaze with a five-wicket victory over Guyana in St Kitts.
In pursuit of a modest 108 at Warner Park on Tuesday, Jamaica got over the line with 11 balls to spare, Williams top-scoring with 42 off 55 balls and Taylor hitting a breezy 33 from 21 deliveries.
Earlier, Mandy Mangru struck 36 from 39 balls and captain Shemaine Campbelle, 33 from 36 balls, as Guyana tallied 107 for seven from their 20 overs.
Choosing to bat first, Guyana found themselves struggling on 24 for two at the start of the fifth over before Mangru and Campbelle combined in a 65-run, third wicket stand to repair the damage.
Mangru, a 24-year-old right-hander who has not played since her international debut two years ago, counted two fours while the seasoned Campbelle struck three.
Once Mangru was stumped off Taylor’s off-spin in the 16th over, however, the innings lost momentum.
In reply, Jamaica too found themselves slumping at 27 for two at the start of the sixth over but Williams and Taylor came together in a 68-run, third wicket partnership to put the run chase back on course.
Williams struck five fours while Taylor notched half-dozen fours before smashing a return catch back to leg-spinner Nyia Latchman (2-15).
Latchman struck again when she bowled Williams hitting across in the same over but Jamaica steadied themselves to get home.
Jamaica top the standings with nine points, four clear of both second placed Leeward Islands and third-placed Trinidad and Tobago, with Guyana fourth on four points and Barbados one from bottom, also on four points.
Windward Islands are bottom without a point or a win.
CMC
SCORES:
GUYANA 107/7 (20 overs) (M Mangru 36, S Campbelle 33, S Taylor 212, C Henry 2-22) vs JAMAICA 108/5 (18.1 overs) (R Williams 42, S Taylor 33). Jamaica won by 5 wickets.
Thursday's matches (Round 3):
T&T Red Force Divas vs Windward Islands, 10 am
Jamaica vs Barbados, 2.30 pm
Guyana vs Leeward Islands, 7 pm