The equipment for a cricket match.
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Shawnisha Hector’s half-century guided the Leeward Islands Women to their first-ever T20 Blaze title. They earned a heart-stopping six-run win over Barbados Women via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (DLS) method at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in St. Vincent.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Hector struck a magnificent 58 off just 44 balls, inclusive of seven fours and two sixes, to anchor the Leewards to 111 for 6 in their 20 overs.
With Barbados at 79 for 5 after 16 overs and in need of 33 more runs from the final 24 balls at 8.25 runs an over, this set the tone for a thrilling finish.
However, heavy and persistent showers forced the match to be abandoned, with DLS determining that Barbados needed to be 86 runs ahead at that point.
The efforts of Hector and Reniece Boyce carried the Leewards to 68 for one during a 46-run partnership.
However, Theanny Herbert-Mayers claimed Boyce’s wicket for 26 from 32 balls, which led to the Leewards losing their next three wickets for 27 runs, including that of Hector, to slip to 95 for four.
Alleyne claimed two of the last three wickets to end with 2-14. Shamilia Connell supported with 2-18.
In reply, Barbados got off to a good start, with Eboni Brathwaite and Trishan Holder making 31 runs for the opening partnership.
Qiana Joseph then claimed the wicket of Holder, who struggled with six from 21 balls. Spinner Rozel Liburd dismissed Naijanni Cumberbatch and Brathwaite, leaving Barbados at 43 for 3 after nine overs.
Alleyne and Asabi Callender joined in a 30-run partnership that carried them to 73 for 3, after which two wickets were lost via the run-out route, which ultimately proved to be their downfall.
Callender was run out in the 15th over. Four balls later, new batter Shakera Selman followed, putting Barbados behind on DLS.
Only three more balls were bowled before rain forced the players off. Alleyne remained unbeaten on 16, with Barbados agonisingly short of their target.
Liburd was the Leewards’ best bowler, taking 2-12 from her four overs.
Barbados captain Aaliyah Alleyne was visibly disappointed. She led her team’s chase before the rain stopped play and said she believed they would have won if the weather had allowed.
“I wouldn’t say that anything went wrong. If we had the opportunity to go back out there, I think I would have backed my team to get us across the line. Unfortunately, this is how it goes, and I’m a bit disappointed…” Alleyne said during a post-match interview.
Meanwhile, Leeward Islands’ captain Amanda Edwards said the team always believed they could win their maiden title.
“We are very overwhelmed about this win. The spirit in our camp is very high, and we kept motivating each other,” she said.
