Barbados Royals Start With a Thrilling One-Wicket Win Over Guyana Amazon Warriors

Barbados Royals Start Strong in CPL Tournament

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Defending Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions Barbados Royals got off to a winning start in this year’s tournament with a thrilling one-wicket win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Brian Lara Stadium here Wednesday.

Captain Hayley Matthews Shines

In a repeat of last year’s final, the Royals were led by an outstanding performance by their captain, Hayley Matthews, which helped them get up to 119-9 off 19.5 overs in reply to the Warriors’ total of 118-9.

Matthews’ All-Round Performance

Matthews, the best female T20 all-rounder in the world, smashed a match-winning unbeaten 61 from 58 balls, including seven boundaries, and grabbed two wickets to take home the Player-of-the-Match award predictably.

Wicket-Fall Challenges Royals

With wickets falling all around her, Matthews found a reliable partner in Qiana Joseph, with the pair adding 42 runs in five overs after the Royals had stumbled to 50-4. The Royals strolled to victory at 92-4 before Joseph, who made 24, became one of four wickets picked up by medium pacer Shabnim Ismail to spark a middle-order collapse.

Fightback From Royals

Ismail also snared the wicket of Chinelle Henry for four, as the Royals lost five wickets for 23 runs to find themselves in deep trouble at 115-9. But Matthews held her calm and, together with last batter Shakera Selman, steered Royals across the finish line.

Warriors’ Top Order Falters

Earlier, the Warriors’ top five batters all got starts but failed to capitalize, as they capitulated from 100 for four in the 17th over to lose their last five wickets for the addition of just 18 runs. Stafanie Taylor led the Warriors with 38, but once she was dismissed, Matthews and Amanda Jade-Wellington shared four wickets to ensure there were no late fireworks.

Bowling Performance

Medium pacer Aaliyah Alleyne was the pick of the Royals bowlers with 3-21 – including the prized scalp of Taylor – while Matthews, Jade-Wellington, and Joseph all grabbed two wickets apiece.

Conclusion

The Barbados Royals’ thrilling one-wicket win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors sets the tone for a competitive CPL tournament. With a strong start, the Royals will look to build on this momentum and make a deep run in the tournament.

FAQs

* What was the score of the match?
The Barbados Royals scored 119-9, while the Guyana Amazon Warriors scored 118-9.
* Who was the Player-of-the-Match?
Hayley Matthews, the captain of the Barbados Royals, was the Player-of-the-Match.
* Who was the top scorer for the Warriors?
Stafanie Taylor led the Warriors with 38 runs.