The Windward Islands’ challenging campaign in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze continued with a narrow three-wicket defeat against Barbados on Saturday, January 17th, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament hosted at Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The team faced additional adversity with the absence of captain Zaida James, a West Indies allrounder who was sidelined with a minor injury. Acting captain Jannillea Glasgow won the toss and elected to bat first, but the decision yielded little advantage as the Windwards struggled profoundly during the powerplay.
Their innings began disastrously, losing three crucial wickets within the initial eight overs while managing a meager 32 runs. Glasgow labored to eight runs from 21 deliveries, while Nerissa Crafton of Saint Lucia contributed just six from nine balls, highlighting the team’s inability to find gaps in the field.
Veteran international player Afy Fletcher emerged as the batting anchor, stabilizing the innings through a productive partnership with Carena Noel that added 37 runs across seven overs. Fletcher’s composed knock of 35 from 32 deliveries, including three boundaries, provided temporary respite before her departure in the 15th over. The final phase proved equally challenging as the Windwards lost four additional wickets while adding only 17 runs, concluding at 86-8 from their allotted overs.
Barbados’ Shamilia Connell delivered an exceptional bowling performance, claiming four wickets for just eight runs from her four overs of right-arm medium pace, effectively dismantling the Windwards’ batting lineup.
Despite the modest target, Barbados encountered significant resistance during their chase. The Windwards’ bowling attack, though disciplined in periods, conceded 24 extras that substantially aided the opposition’s pursuit. A developing partnership of 30 runs between Naijanni Cumberbatch and Asabi Callender was broken by debutant Aidith Gasper, who claimed Cumberbatch as the first of her two wickets.
Although Afy Fletcher, Aidith Gasper, and Abini St Jean each captured two wickets in a spirited defense of the low total, Barbados ultimately secured victory at the beginning of the 17th over through a combination of wayward bowling and a late-order contribution of 12 from 13 balls by Allison Gordon.
The absence of Captain James was notably felt across all three facets of the game—batting, bowling, and fielding—exacerbating the team’s challenges. Previous losses to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago by 16 runs had already positioned the Windwards precariously in the standings. Fletcher and Glasgow currently rank fourth and fifth respectively in runs scored after three rounds with 82 and 70 runs, but the team remains winless and sits above only Jamaica in the standings due to bowling points. These two bottom-placed teams are scheduled to meet on January 19th in what promises to be a crucial encounter for both sides.