The Windward Islands fell to a third loss in four matches in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG United Women’s Super50, as the penultimate round of the opening phase was played on Monday. The Islanders lost to Guyana at Conaree Sports Club in St Kitts and Nevis.
Guyana won the toss and elected to field first. The batting woes continued for the Windwards, who have passed three figures as a team just once thus far. They were dismissed for 97 in 38.1 overs, only four players getting into double figures. Afy Fletcher made 15, Earnisha Fontaine 12, Abini St Jean 17, and Holly Charles 17.
The Windwards were in serious danger of posting an even smaller score. They were 59-8 when St Jean and Charles came together for a 23-run stand. Saint Lucians Ashlene Edward (2), Zaida James (4), and Nerissa Crafton (3) combined for just nine runs at the top of the order. By the time they were dismissed, the score was only 18.
The wickets were evenly shared for Guyana. Plaffiana Millington got 3-27 with her off breaks. The West Indies pair of fast bowler Cherry-Ann Fraser and spinner Ashmini Munisar had two apiece, Sheneta Grimmond, Nyia Latchman, and Kaysia Schultz one each.
Guyana were not unbothered in the chase, falling to 20-3 in the sixth over in search of 98. Saint Lucian teenager Selena Ross had taken two of the wickets to fall. She ended with 2-17. Mandy Mangru (1), Katana Mentore (5) and Shemaine Campbelle (0) all fell cheaply.
But Realeanna Grimmond Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi combined for an unbeaten 81-run partnership, and Guyana won with 25 overs and seven wickets to spare. Grimmond ended on 48 off 71 with seven fours, while Gajnabi finished on 32 off 56 with two fours.
The Windwards, above only the Leeward Islands in the standings, are nonetheless level on points with Jamaica in fourth place. Each of the three teams has just one win. The Windwards beat the Leewards, Leewards beat Jamaica, and Jamaica beat Trinidad & Tobago.
On Wednesday at Conaree, the Windward Islands will play Jamaica. The winner will play the third-place payoff on Friday, and the loser will battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
