Saint Lucia fell at the first hurdle in the 2026 Windward Islands Cricket Board Women’s T20 Championship, losing by six wickets to hosts and defending champions St Vincent & the Grenadines on Sunday, January 4, at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground.
Vincy captain Japhina Joseph called correctly at the toss and opted to field. Saint Lucia got off to a fast start with two of their strongest players, Ashlene Edward and West Indies allrounder Zaida James, powering them to 60 without loss by the seventh over. Edward faced 29 balls to get to 36, and James needed 15 deliveries to add 13.
After James was dismissed, Skyy Smith swiftly followed for a duck, Nerissa Crafton for two, Edward for 36, Natalia Phillip for five, and Niesha Cherry for three. Namiah Marcellin’s 22 from 26 balls carried Saint Lucia into triple figures. But her dismissal exposed the tail. Nesha Alexander went for eight and Krishna Joseph for four, as Saint Lucia tallied 117-9 from their 20 overs. Tracy Byron took 3-17 for the home team. Areka Hooper and Tomeshia Deane had two wickets each.
Needing 118 runs to get their title defence off to a solid start, the hosts lost their captain for three, taken by her opposite number, James, with the score on 26 in the fourth over. Kimone Homer and Denella Crease also fell cheaply, to Niesha Cherry and Krishna Joseph, but West Indies player Janillea Glasgow anchored the response. She hit 60 from 49 balls, inclusive of nine fours and a six. By the time she was bowled by Natalia Phillip in the 15th over, the score was 93-4, and the writing was on the wall. Tracy Byron and Shannel Mackie remained unbeaten on 11 and 14, respectively, to guide their team to victory with eight balls in hand.
Grenada also beat Dominica by over 100 runs on the opening day, thanks to a fine century by Afy Fletcher, guiding her team to 182. Saint Lucia plays Grenada on Monday, January 5, at Arnos Vale.
Saint Lucia Schedule:
Jan 4 v SVG, 10am
Jan 5 v GRN, 10am
Jan 7 v DMA, 2pm
Jan 9 Final & 3rd Place
