Women’s T20 Blaze: Guyana defeat Windward Islands to stay unbeaten

A dominant spin bowling performance and a composed run chase saw Guyana notch their second consecutive win in the Women’s T20 Blaze, as they defeated the Windward Islands by seven wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-shortened encounter at Arnos Vale on Saturday.

Reduced to 13 overs per side due to weather interruptions, the match proved another low-scoring affair. But Guyana’s spin trio—Nyia Latchman (4-8), Ashmini Munisar (2-10), and Sheneta Grimmond (2-16)—left the Windward Islands in tatters at 61-9, laying the foundation for a comfortable chase.

Sent in to bat, the Windward Islands never found their rhythm, as they were stifled by tight lines, and  only managed just two boundaries in the entire innings. Nerissa Crafton (14) and Japhina Joseph (17) struck one each, while captain Zaida James (13) was the only other player to reach double figures.

With no meaningful partnerships to anchor the innings, wickets fell at regular intervals, and the spin trio feasted on a lineup short on answers.

In reply, Guyana suffered an early hiccup when Munisar was run out for one with the score at eight, but Realeanna Grimmond, with a 29-ball 30, and Shabika Gajnabi’s unbeaten 26 off 31 balls, stitched together a crucial 54-run second-wicket stand that all but ended Windward Islands’ hopes of a comeback.

Grimmond, who cleared the ropes once during her knock, fell in the 12th over alongside captain Shemaine Campbelle (two), both victims of Niesha Cherry (2-14). But Gajnabi held her nerve to guide Guyana across the line.

With this result, Guyana continue to assert themselves in the tournament, while the Windward Islands are left searching for answers after another underwhelming batting display. (SportsMax) 

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/fccc4089-6fa3-486e-8ebe-192cc9b48c0e