ARNOS VALE, St. Vincent, (CMC) – The Barbados Women’s team opened their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Twenty20 Blaze campaign with a hard-fought, tense three-wicket victory over Trinidad & Tobago at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Tuesday night, chasing down a modest target with nine balls to spare.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, the Pride’s bowlers applied immediate pressure, restricting Trinidad & Tobago to a below-par 97 for 5 from their full 20 overs.
The low scores seem to be the trend, at least in the opneing round, as only the Leeward Islands team was able to get past the 100 run mark in the second match of the triple header.
The innings never found momentum, with only veteran batter Britney Cooper providing stability with an unbeaten 33 from 38 deliveries.
She found brief support from Karishma Ramharack, who uncharacteristically opened the innings and scored a brisk 21, with two fours.
However, the batting unit struggled to build partnerships against a disciplined Barbados attack, led by off-spinner Naijanni Cumberbatch, who was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 for 18.
In reply, Barbados seemed to be cruising at 45 without loss, thanks to a brisk start from openers Eboni Brathwaite, who weighed in with 26, and Trishan Holder, who contributed 16.
The chase, however, dramatically unravelled in the middle overs. Leg-spinner Brianna Harricharan orchestrated a stunning collapse, taking a remarkable 3 for 8 in her four overs.
Her intervention triggered a slide that saw Barbados lose seven wickets for just 49 runs, stumbling from 45-0 to a precarious 94-7.
With nerves frayed, it fell to experienced Shamilia Connell, who stood tall with a defiant 16 not out, to anchor the final stages.
Displaying cool-headed determination, she guided her team across the line at 99-7 in the 19th over, securing a vital first win for Barbados in the competition.
