Royals Women seal back-to-back CPL titles

Defending champions Barbados Royals Women overcame late stage nerves to win this year’s Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) tonight in Tarouba, beating Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) by four wickets after stuttering near the close.  

Sent in to bat, the Knight Riders slumped to 93-8 in their 20 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy held a strong bowling performance of four wickets for 21 runs from player of the match Aaliyah Alleyne. In reply, the Royals struggled with the bat, but thanks mostly to a composed knock of 39 not out by opener Chamari Athapaththu, finished on 94-6.

It was not a final to remember for Barbadian allrounder Deandra Dottin who was announced in the West Indies Women 15 member squad for October’s World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The 33-year-old was dismissed for just six runs in the second over.

It went from bad to worse for the Knight Riders when their other high profile batter Jemimah Rodrigues spooned a catch back at Chinelle Henry to leave them 10-2. Shikha Pandey (28) and Jannillea Glasgow (24) combined for a partnership worth 43 runs, but once they fell to the sharp bowling of Alleyne, the hosts crumpled into a heap shortly afterwards.

The chase was smoothly sailing for the Royals during the powerplay as the Matthews ranked third among and T2OI batters in women’s cricket, and Athapaththu sixth, navigated the early pressure. Athapaththu did the heavy lifting throughout the 48-run partnership from 37 balls, scoring 31 of the runs while Matthews dropped anchor with her comparatively slower knock of 13. However when Matthews was dismissed thanks to a brilliant catch at backward point by Dottin, the Royals middle order struggled.

 There were cameos from Qiana Joseph (14) and Laura Harris (15), but poor shot selection and good mettle shown by 16-year-old spinner Samara Ramnath meant that the chase was nervy until the final run was scored by Athapaththu, who can add this WCPL title to her Asia Cup win with Sri Lanka in July.

Summarised Scores:

Trinbago Knight Riders Women 93-8 in 20 overs (Shikha Pandey 28, Jannillea Glasgow 24; Aaliyah Alleyne 4-21). Barbados Royals Women 94-6 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 39*, Laura Harris 15; Samara Ramnath 2-18). Barbados Royals Women won by four wickets.

The post Royals Women seal back-to-back CPL titles appeared first on nationnews.com.