In a high-stakes showdown between the final two undefeated franchises in the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Thursday, the Trinbago Knight Riders delivered a statement performance, handily defeating Jamaica Empress Women by nine wickets to claim the sole position of the tournament’s only unbeaten side.
Jamaica Empress won the coin toss and opted to bat first, a decision that quickly backfired as their batting order crumbled under relentless pressure from the Trinbago bowling attack. The side never recovered from a glacial opening to their innings, mustering just 29 runs for the loss of two wickets by the end of the mandatory six-over powerplay. The powerplay saw Irish batter Amy Hunter dismissed via run out without scoring a single run, while Australian superstar Meg Lanning only managed six runs before being forced back to the pavilion.
Reshuda Williams, batting at the number three slot, emerged as Jamaica’s only consistent run-scorer, finishing with a team-high 40 runs off 47 deliveries that included six boundary fours. Lower-order batter Chinelle Henry contributed an unbeaten 22 runs from 26 balls, while Syeda Aroob Shah’s 12 not out remained the only other double-digit score for the Empress. By the end of their 20 allotted overs, Jamaica had crawled to a total of 100 runs for eight wickets, a target that would ultimately prove far too small to defend.
Trinbago’s bowling attack was anchored by Player-of-the-Match Karishma Ramharack, who turned in a masterclass of disciplined line and length bowling to finish with figures of three wickets for just 11 runs. Laura Harris backed Ramharack up with two wickets for 10 runs, while Marizanne Kapp and star all-rounder Deandra Dottin each picked up one wicket apiece to wrap up Jamaica’s innings.
Chasing a modest target of 101 runs for victory, the Trinbago Knight Riders matched their bowling dominance with an equally clinical batting display, reaching the required total in just 11.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Opening batter Yastika Bhatia stole the show with an unbeaten knock of 57 runs off only 34 deliveries, smacking six fours and three towering sixes along the way. Bhatia shared a 35-run opening stand with Laura Harris, who scored 22 runs from 18 balls, before Dottin closed out the innings unbeaten on 22 runs off 15 deliveries to seal the win.
The dominant victory cements the Knight Riders’ position as the early tournament front-runners, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign. The side opened their 2024 run with an upset win over three-time defending champions Barbados Tridents on Saturday, September 5. The Trinbago side will return to the Kensington Oval pitch on Saturday, September 12 to face Guyana Amazon Warriors, in the first match of a tournament double-header. The second fixture of the day will see Barbados Tridents take on Jamaica Empress.