Saint Lucia wrapped up the Windward Islands Women’s T20 Championship with their first victory, a 17‑run win over Dominica that secured third place overall. The result came on Friday, January 9, at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in Kingstown.
Captain Zaida James struck a stunning half‑century and Nerissa Crafton claimed four wickets to lead the charge. James had chosen to bat first, but the decision looked shaky as Saint Lucia collapsed to 15‑4 and then 35‑5 inside six overs. Dominica’s Abini St Jean was the chief threat, returning 3‑10 from her four overs to dismantle the top order.
But James remained. And the West Indies veteran led the fight, getting to her first 50 of the competition off 37 balls. A feckless 16th over from Amiah Gilbert yielded 26 runs from 12 balls. James was dismissed on 67 from 54 deliveries, with six fours and two sixes. She found a willing partner in Krishna Joseph, who freed up her arms to lash 21 from 15.
Saint Lucia lost their final wicket on the last ball of the innings, 122 all out, their best batting performance for the tournament.
The Dominican response started well, 43-2 after the powerplay, and 80-3 at the halfway stage. Crafton changed things in the 12th over, the West Indies left-arm pacer taking a two-wicket maiden to leave the chasing team 84-5. Her third over, the 16th of the innings, produced two more wickets, and she ended 4-2.
The best bowling performance of the series helped hold Dominica to 105-9. Crafton removed Earnisha Fontaine for 31 from 22 balls. Gilia McLaurent, a 15-year-old schoolgirl on debut, picked up a wicket.
Senior players like James, Crafton, Selena Ross, and Ashlene Edward will await word on whether they will be part of the Windward Islands team competing in the upcoming West Indies T20 Blaze.
