T20 Blaze: Matthews shines as Bajans move one step closer to retaining title

Defending champions Barbados remain huge favourites to lift the Cricket West Indies CG United Women’s T20 Blaze title yet again, defeating their biggest rivals Jamaica in fourth round action on Monday morning at the National Stadium, Providence.

In a clash of two unbeaten teams, it was the Bajans who prevailed, winning by 24 runs.

Opener Hayley Matthews stroked a brilliant unbeaten half-century and then produced a miserly spell as Barbados won their fourth match on the trot.

Batting first, Barbados made 129-4, but that total could have been higher had the Jamaicans not pulled things back nicely in the second half of the innings.

Right-hander Matthews batted through the innings for an accomplished 74 off 63 balls (9x4s), sharing an opening stand of 50 in 7.4 overs with Kycia Knight (14).

The Jamaicans conceded 19 extras, with C. Howell taking 2-27, while Stafanie Taylor and Vanessa Watts shared the other two wickets.

In the run-chase, the Bajans made some telling and timely blows to keep the Jamaicans in check.

Middle-order trio Chedean Nation (26), Chinelle Henry (24) and Taylor (18) got starts, but Jamaica could only get to 104-6 when the overs finished.

Aaliyah Alleyne took 2-20, while Shakera Selman, Shanika Bruce and Aaliyah Williams had one apiece. Matthews was the lone bowler not to take a wicket, but conceded just 15 runs from her four overs.

Fourth round action continues on Monday with Trinidad and Tobago playing Windward Islands from 14:30h and Guyana up against Leeward Islands from 19:00h.

All matches are being played at the National Stadium, Providence.