BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Title-holders Barbados bounced back from their shock opening round loss to Leeward Islands to post their first win of the Women’s T20 Blaze, with a 19-run verdict over Windward Islands at Warner Park on Tuesday.
After opener Trishan Holder slammed an unbeaten 68 off 54 deliveries to get them up to 123 for five from their 20 overs, Barbados then restricted the Windwards to 104 for eight off their 20 overs, off-spinner Erin Deane (2-12) and seamer Aaliyah Alleyne (2-17) grabbing two wickets apiece in outstanding spells.
West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher top-scored with 28 from 32 deliveries but was the only Windwards batsman to pass 20.
Choosing to bat first, Barbados slipped to 32 for two at the start of the ninth over before Holder and Alleyne rallied the innings in a 54-run third wicket partnership.
While Holder struck eight fours and a six in an entertaining knock, Alleyne supported with three fours in a 27-ball inning before swinging across a full length delivery from Fletcher and getting her stumps rattled in the 16th over.
On 41 at the time, Holder then took responsibility for the back end of Barbados’ innings as wickets tumbled around her.
In reply, Windwards were stumbling at 29 for two in the sixth over when speedster Allison Gordon bowled opener Namiah Marcellin for 19.
Fletcher tried to revive the run chase in a 23-run, third wicket stand with exciting all-rounder Zaida James but the 19-year-old West Indies star managed only five before being drawn from her crease by a flighted delivery from Deane, and was stumped in the 11th.
The turning point came when Fletcher missed a heave at Alleyne and had her stumps shattered in the 14th over as Barbados closed out strongly.
CMC
Scores:
At Warner Park: Barbados won by 19 runs.
BARBADOS 123 for five off 20 overs (Trishan Holder 68, Aaliyah Alleyne 28; Zaida James 2-28) vs WINDWARD ISLANDS 104 for eight off 20 overs (Afy Fletcher 28; Erin Deane 2-12, Aaliyah Alleyne 2-17).