Shawnisha Hector’s half-century guided the Leeward Islands Women to capture their first-ever T20 Blaze title with a heart-stopping six-run victory 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 six in their 20 overs.
Barbados was at 79 for 5 after 16 overs. They needed 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.
Theanny Herbert-Mayers claimed Boyce’s wicket for 26 from 32 balls. This led to the Leewards losing their next three wickets for 27 runs, including Hector’s. They slipped to 95 for four.
Alleyne claimed two of the last three wickets to fall to end with 2-14, while 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 claimed the wicket of Holder, who struggled and contributed only six from 21 balls. Spinner Rozel Liburd dismissed Naijanni Cumberbatch and Brathwaite. This left Barbados at 43 for three after nine overs.
Alleyne and Asabi Callender joined in a 30-run partnership, carrying Barbados to 73 for 3. Then, two wickets were lost to run-outs, which ultimately proved to be their downfall.
Callender was run out in the 15th over. New batter Shakera Selman followed four balls later. This put Barbados behind on DLS.
Only three more balls were bowled before the rain forced the players off the field, with Alleyne unbeaten on 16 and Barbados agonisingly short of their target.
Liburd was the Leeward’s best bowler with 2-12 from her four overs.
A visibly disappointed Barbados captain Aaliyah Alleyne, who was leading her team’s chase before the rain interruption, said she believed they would have pulled off the chase had the weather 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.
