Explosive Dottin guides Barbados, Jamaica make winning
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin continued her heavy run-scoring, as recently crowned Super50 champions Barbados launched their bid for the double with a comprehensive 99-run victory over Leeward Islands in the opening round of the Women’s T20 Blaze here Thursday.
Playing at Guyana National Stadium in one of three matches at the venue, Barbados piled up 206 for six after opting for first knock, with Dottin smashing an amazing 63 off just 24 balls.
She belted 10 fours and three sixes, dominating an 80-run fourth-wicket stand with Kyshona Knight who made only eight.
Earlier, opener and captain Hayley Matthews stroked 45 off 22 balls in a 46-run opening stand off just 19 balls with Danielle Small, who scored seven, before Barbados lost three quick wickets for 15 runs to plunge to 57 for three in the sixth over.
In reply, Leewards got nowhere near their target, finishing on 107 for five off their 20 overs, with Shebani Bhaskar top-scoring with an unbeaten 40 off 39 deliveries and off-spinner Matthews picking up two for 21.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago also opened their account with a victory after easily chasing down Guyana’s 161 to win by five wickets, with eight balls to spare.
Discarded West Indies batsman Stacy-Ann King notched 59 off 48 balls in a 68-run opening stand with Lee-Ann Kirby, who carved out a cavalier 31 off 19 deliveries.
At 90 for three in the 11th over, however, T&T still needed something special and got it through international discard Britney Cooper, who hammered an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls to put T&T over the line.
She struck eight fours and a six and crucially, added 58 for the fourth wicket with King, who counted five fours and a six in her knock.
Guyana had earlier got an unbeaten 77 from the in form Windies stroke-maker Shemaine Campbelle, as they got up to 157 for four off their 20 overs.
Campbelle faced 54 balls and struck six fours and three sixes, posting 54 for the fourth wicket with Akaze Thompson (11).
Veteran West Indies off-spinner Anisa Mohammed claimed two for 23.
Defending champions Jamaica were also impressive as they dismissed Windward Islands by 62 runs. Openers Jodian Morgan (72 not out) and Natasha McLean (56) put on 123 for the first wicket to propel their side to 185 for two off their 20 overs.
Morgan lashed 10 fours and two sixes in a 58-ball knock, while McLean faced 48 deliveries and counted five fours and two sixes.
In reply, the Windwards got a top score of 60 off 50 deliveries from veteran Juliana Nero, but the target proved beyond them as they ended on 123 for eight.