Connell holds nerve as Barbados survives T&T collapse to claim T20 Blaze opener

By Ben McLeod (CNW) ARNOS VALE, St. Vincent — The Barbados Women’s cricket team began their Twenty20 Blaze campaign in dramatic fashion, eking out a tense three-wicket victory over Trinidad & Tobago at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Tuesday night.

Chasing a modest 98-run target, the Pride reached 99 for 7 with nine balls to spare in a contest that tested nerves and resilience.

Trinidad & Tobago post below-par total

Winning the toss and electing to field first, Barbados’ bowlers quickly applied pressure, holding the opposition to a sub-100 score. Trinidad & Tobago finished 97 for 5 from 20 overs, struggling to find momentum against a disciplined attack.

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Veteran Britney Cooper provided the only significant resistance, scoring an unbeaten 33 from 38 balls, while Karishma Ramharack, opening the innings uncharacteristically, contributed a brisk 21 with two fours.

Off-spinner Naijanni Cumberbatch was the pick of the bowlers for Barbados, claiming 2 for 18, while her colleagues ensured the innings never gained pace.

The low-scoring trend continued in the opening round, with only the Leeward Islands surpassing the 100-run mark in the day’s triple-header.

Brisk start before mid-innings collapse

Barbados began their chase in promising fashion. Openers Eboni Brathwaite and Trishan Holder steadied the innings, combining for a 45-run opening stand — Brathwaite contributing 26 and Holder 16.

However, the chase quickly unraveled in the middle overs. Leg-spinner Brianna Harricharan engineered a remarkable collapse, claiming 3 for 8 in her four overs, triggering a slide that saw Barbados tumble from 45-0 to 94-7, losing seven wickets for just 49 runs.

Connell’s calm guides pride home

With the match hanging in the balance, experienced campaigner Shamilia Connell assumed responsibility, displaying poise and composure under pressure.

Her 16 not out anchored the final stages, guiding Barbados to a nervy 99-7 in the 19th over, securing a crucial opening win in the competition.

The victory not only salvaged a tense chase but also set a confident tone for Barbados’ campaign in the T20 Blaze.

The match highlighted both the depth and vulnerability of the teams in the opening rounds. Barbados’ batting unit showed flashes of dominance and resilience, while their bowlers set the tone early, creating a template for disciplined performances in the rounds ahead.