T20 Blaze: Schultz, Campbelle shine in Guyana’s victory over Windward Islands

Home team Guyana wrapped up its campaign in the Cricket West Indies CG United Women’s T20 Blaze tournament with a six-wicket win over the Windward Islands at the National Stadium, Providence, on Tuesday evening.

It was Guyana’s second win in four completed matches, and it was the bowlers who once again set up the victory in the fifth and final round.

The islanders were kept to 85-7 from their allotted 20 overs, before Guyana reached 86-4 in 16.3 overs, compliments of an unbeaten 29 from 30 balls (3x4s) from captain Shemaine Campbelle.

Left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz was the pick of the bowlers for the Guyanese with 3-13 from four miserly overs to follow up her 3-11 from the previous game, while seamer Shabika Gajnabi and off-spinner Plaffianna Millington each took a wicket in their economical spells.

Captain Afy Fletcher (26 from 31 balls) and Japhina Joseph (21 from 18 balls) added 33 for the sixth wicket in an otherwise ordinary batting display, as strike rotation continued to be the Achilles’ heel for teams in the tournament.

When Guyana batted, Lashuna Toussaint (16) and Campbelle added 35 for the third wicket to stabilise the chase and secure the four points.

Guyana finished the tournament in fourth spot on 10 points.

Prior to their final round contest, the Guyanese suffered a seven-run loss to Barbados in their opening game, had their clash against Trinidad and Tobago rained out without a ball bowled, lost to Jamaica by seven wickets, before recording their first win against Leeward Islands by 75 runs.

Attention now turns to the CG United Super50 Cup, which starts Thursday, and it is understood all matches will be played at Providence, with the six teams split into two groups.