Captain James leads victory over winless Barbados as Windwards end on a high

By Sherdon Cowan (Sportsmax)- Windward Islands women may not have made it to the final, but they ended their West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze campaign in the best way possible—on a winning note.

Under the lights at Arnos Vale on Friday night, captain Zaida James starred with an unbeaten half-century to lead her team to 121-3 from their allotment, and that was followed by an all-round team effort that resulted in a 12-run win over Barbados, who were restricted to 109-9.

The victory marked Windwards’ third in five matches and cemented a strong finish to a promising tournament, even though it was not enough to book a spot in Sunday’s final. Instead, that coveted showdown will be contested by defending champions Jamaica and Guyana.

Still, for James and her Windward Islands squad, the night was one of pride and celebration.

Scores: WIndward Islands women 121-3 (20 overs); Barbados 109-9 (20 overs)

Sent in to bat, Windwards lost opener Jannillea Glasgow (two) early, but a composed and determined James took command of the innings. She crafted a patient 51 from 60 deliveries in an innings that had a solitary six, as she anchored her team’s total with resilience.

Though she lost Nerissa Crafton (14) to Shanika Bruce, with the score at 40-2, James found support in veteran Afy Fletcher, who lit up the middle overs with a fluent 35 off just 27 balls, including four boundaries. Together, the pair stitched a 63-run partnership that shifted the momentum and propelled Windwards to a competitive total, though Fletcher later fell to Bruce.

Bruce ended with 2-22. Naijanni Cumberbatch (1-25) took the only other wicket, while the rest of the attack struggled.

Chasing 122 for their first win of the tournament, Barbados looked to experienced opener Kycia Knight for inspiration. The left-hander struck a composed 54 from 54 balls and kept her team in the hunt for most of the innings. But Knight’s lone resistance in a knock that had three fours and a six was not enough to overcome Windward’s spinners, who were complemented by sharp fielding.

Wickets fell steadily around her, with captain Trishan Holder (10) and Asabi Callender (12) being the only other players in double figures. Once Knight was run out by James in the 19th over, Barbados’ hopes evaporated.

Carena Noel was outstanding (2-12) from her four overs, and Fletcher (2-17) led the Winwards bowling. James (1-21), fittingly, chipped in with a wicket and a run-out to complete a captain’s performance.