It was another low-scoring affair, and Guyana again got over the line, as they eked out a four-wicket win over Barbados to extend their unbeaten run to three matches in the West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze on Monday night.
In a match where bowlers dominated and runs were hard to come by, Guyana’s disciplined bowling attack once again set the tone before their batters carefully chipped away at the modest target of 69-6 to seal victory in 18.2 overs.
Having won the toss and opted to field, Guyana quickly asserted control as Barbados' innings never quite got off the ground, and they stuttered to 68-9 from their 20 overs, as none of their batters managed to reach even 25. In fact, Kyshona Knight’s 20 off 27 balls was the top score in an innings that was void of boundaries, as the rest of the lineup, as has been the case since the start of the tournament, struggled to find fluency. Captain Trishan Holder (13) was the next best score.
Barbados’ middle and lower order crumbled under the sustained pressure, and a flurry of run-outs—three in total—did not help their cause, and the bowlers were left with little to defend.
Sheneta Grimmond starred with the ball for Guyana as she snared two for seven in her four overs. She was well supported by Nyia Latchman, who had two for 15, and Cherry-Ann Fraser, with one for 14, while off-spinner Ashmini Munisar conceded just nine runs from her full quota.
Still, Barbados showed fight with the ball.
Veteran seamer Shamilia Connell struck early, as she removed Realeanna Grimmond (eight) and Ashmini Munisar (three) to leave Guyana at 14-2. When Shabika Gajnabi was run out shortly after, Guyana were wobbling at 20-3.
Barbados made further inroads as Captain Shemaine Campbelle (nine) and Mandy Mangru (eight) were both sent back by Keila Elliott, and Cherry-Ann Fraser (six) was caught off Naijanni Cumberbatch. However, calm heads prevailed as Katana Mentore’s steady, unbeaten 14 off 26 balls guided the side home, while Sheneta Grimmond chipped in with a composed six not out.
Elliott ended with figures of two for 11, while Connell had two for 13, and Naijanni Cumberbatch had one for 14 as they gave a good account of themselves, but the lack of runs on the board ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.
Guyana’s ability to defend low totals and chase down tricky targets in pressure situations has been a hallmark of their unbeaten campaign so far. On the other hand, Barbados will rue another batting collapse and must now look to rebound from this, their third defeat in as many games.