The Windward Islands began their Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze campaign with a narrow defeat, falling to defending champions Guyana by seven runs on Tuesday, January 13, at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines. All four Saint Lucians in the Windwards squad featured in the starting XI, led by West Indies allrounder Zaida James.
SUMMARY SCORES: Guyana 96-5 (Gajnabi 38, James 1-14) beat Windward Islands 89-5 (Jannillea Glasgow 41, Plaffianna Millington 1-13) by seven runs
James won the toss and elected to field. The team had a high degree of familiarity with the venue, having completed their subregional championship here just days ago. The Guyanese built an opening stand of 27, before Realeanna Grimmond was removed by Jannillea Glasgow for eight. An over and two runs later, the batting team were two down, as James got Mandy Mangru for 16.
Captain Shemaine Campbelle and Shakiba Gajnabi added 14 runs to take Guyana past 40 at the halfway stage. Campbelle, though, fell to Afy Fletcher for four. Gajnabi combined with Sheneta Grimmond to add a further 15 runs in three overs, but the second Grimmond went for six to Holly Charles.
The final 44 balls, however, produced 38 runs, as Ashmini Munisar had a fruitful partnership with Gajnabi. Munisar hit 17 off just 20 balls, inclusive of one four. Gajnabi was out for 38 off 37, losing her wicket on the last ball of the innings. She hit two fours, as Guyana ended on 96-5.
James was the top bowler for the home team, with 1-14 from her four overs. Glasgow was also inexpensive, with 1-10 off three overs. Carena Noel took the fifth and final wicket.
The modest target proved too much for the Windwards. Ashlene Edward was run out in the fourth over for five. James went in the fifth over for one. Fletcher came in to join Glasgow, and the two had a productive union, yielding 59 runs in 12.4 overs, and leaving the team 19 to get in 16 balls. Fletcher scored 33 from 36 balls, with a four and a six.
The Windwards got 10 runs from the next 11 balls, Earnisha Fontaine getting four from seven. She lost her wicket in the final over, however, and Glasgow went two balls later, run out for 41 from 36 balls, with four fours. Nerissa Crafton and Abini St Jean were unable to make much of a dent in the target, finishing on 89-5.
Sheneta Grimmond, Ashmini Munisar and Plaffiana Millington each took wickets for the champions.
The Windwards play Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday.
(TF)
