Though the outcome at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup wasn’t what they wanted, West Indies head coach Shane Deitz praised his team’s commitment and resilience to push beyond circumstances and prove competitive throughout the tournament.

Deitz’s commendation came after his team fell just shy of contesting another final, as they lost their semi-final contest by eight runs short to New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday.

Despite being plagued with injuries throughout, as Stafanie Taylor fought through a recurring knee issue, all-rounder Deandra Dottin was restricted from bowling early due to concerns about a side strain, and Chinelle Henry took a hit to the face during the semi-final game, the Caribbean side showed grit and determination, much to their coach’s delight.

“It’s been a pretty emotional few days for us. After a huge win over England, emotions were high, and we had to regroup quickly. I think the girls managed that well. They are incredibly passionate about playing for the West Indies and give everything, both body and soul, every time they step onto the field. It’s hard not to be emotional after seeing that commitment,” Deitz said.

He singled out Taylor for her commitment to brave her injury in the semifinal.

“The medical team did a fantastic job managing her condition. Every day, she was battling pain, but her determination was remarkable. Today, she looked better than she had for weeks. It was a mind-over-matter for her, and even though she couldn’t get us over the line, she gave everything for the team. We all respect and thank her for that,” Deitz declared.

While they didn’t make the final, Deitz took heart from their overall showing as they topped Group B and knocked out England, one of the world’s most dominant teams, in the first round. This, after bouncing back from a crushing 10-wicket loss to South Africa in the tournament opener.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve been working on a style of cricket that suits the West Indies. We’ve been developing a way to play with our flair and confidence, something that’s been a hallmark of West Indies cricket for a long time,” he said.

“We don’t want to rely on other teams making mistakes; we want to dominate on our terms. We’re still in the process of building, but we’ve made significant strides. By the time the next T20 World Cup comes around in 2026, we’ll be ready to take on the world again,” Deitz added.

The West Indies Women came agonizingly short of a second trip to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final after suffering an eight-run loss to New Zealand in their semi-final in Sharjah on Friday.

New Zealand first made 128-9 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Openers Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates were the main run getters with 33 and 26, respectively, while Isabella Gaze made a crucial 20* off 14 balls at the backend of the innings.

Deandra Dottin produced an excellent spell of bowling with 4-22 from her four overs while Afy Fletcher continued her good form with the ball in the tournament with 2-23 from three overs.

Karishma Ramharack and Aaliyah Alleyne split the other two wickets.

The West Indies then came up just short of their target in the end, reaching 120-8 off their 20 overs.

Openers Qiana Joseph and captain Hayley Matthews put on 16 for the first wicket before Joseph went for 12 with two balls remaining in the third over.

The wickets of Shemaine Campbelle (3) and the returning Stafanie Taylor (13) followed soon after leaving the Windies 41-3 in the ninth over.

Not long after, all hope seemed lost as Matthews went for a hard-fought 15 off 21 balls in the 11^th over before Aaliyah Alleyne’s wicket for four in the 14^th over left the West Indies looking all but beaten at 63-5.

A fighting 33-run sixth wicket partnership between Deandra Dottin and Afy Fletcher made things interesting including 23-run 16^th over that left the West Indies needing just 34 from the final 24 deliveries.

Dottin’s wicket off the third ball of the next over for a 22-ball 33 pretty much ended all hope for a West Indies victory.

After Chedean Nation came and went for a duck, Fletcher was joined by Zaida James and the pair tried their best to combat some smart bowling from the New Zealanders.

Eventually, the West Indies got to the last over needing 15 to win.

A boundary from James off the first ball produced some nerves for New Zealand but that was followed by a dot ball and then a wicket, putting an end to the West Indian charge.

Fletcher finished 17* while James made 14 from eight balls.

Eden Carson finished with 3-29 from her four overs while Captain Amelia Kerr took 2-14 from four overs.

New Zealand will now take on South Africa in Sunday’s final with both teams looking for their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.

Full Scores:

New Zealand Women 128-9 off 20 overs (Georgia Plimmer 33, Suzie Bates 26, Isabella Gaze 20*, Deandra Dottin 4-22, Afy Fletcher 2-23)

West Indies Women 120-8 off 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 33, Afy Fletcher 17*, Eden Carson 3-29, Amelia Kerr 2-14)

Much like they did in 2016, when they got by New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final on their way to claiming a maiden title, West Indies women will be hoping to replicate that magic.

With memories of that six-run triumph still fresh in their minds, the Caribbean side is eager to once again top the Kiwis in Sharjah on Friday to join South Africa in the showpiece event, scheduled for October 20.

Should the West Indies defeat New Zealand again, it would lay the platform for them to avenge their tournament-opening 10-wicket loss to South Africa. Since that battering, West Indies got by Scotland, Bangladesh and England on their way to the knockout stage, where they are now seeking to build on that momentum.

“I think we’re proud of what we’ve been able to achieve. No one kind of had us get to this stage, so I think we’re all pretty happy that we’ve made it here. The job’s just not finished yet and we got our eyes locked on the game tomorrow (Friday) and ready for New Zealand,” Captain Hayley Matthews said in a pre-game conference.

“Hopefully ready to play a really big game because we do want to win; we don't want to just come to this World Cup to say, ‘hey, we've made the semifinals and we're happy with that. We want to take it even further,” she added.

Experienced Jamaican batter Stafanie Taylor remains in doubt for West Indies, but Matthews’ side still possesses enough ability to pull a surprise, much like they did against England on last. In fact, with the likes of Zaida James and other rising talents currently in the squad, Matthews encouraged her peers to enjoy the moment as she recalled when she won her first World Cup title eight years ago at 18 years old.

“I think for me it was mostly just about staying calm but having fun, especially as a West Indian. I think we're always at our best when we're out there on the field, enjoying ourselves and being really vibrant in the field, and I'm just encouraging every one of the youngsters to go out there and enjoy themselves. Yeah, it's the World Cup semi-final and it's a huge game, but we're still playing the same game that we learned in the backyards of our homes and out on the streets in the Caribbean. So just enjoy it,” Matthews shared.

Despite facing tough competition, the West Indies have fought their way into the final four with a combination of gritty performances and standout individual displays, including the stellar all-round efforts of Matthews herself, along with Taylor, Qiana Joseph and Deandra Dottin, in particular.

“I think we all had the belief that we could still get the job done and the character shown within the team for us to be able to come back out there and fight. It's just about having a really good game and every single one of the players went out there and we're able to execute as we pull together as a team really well,” Matthews noted.

That said, the talented Barbadian all-rounder expressed optimism about the prospects that could come from her team winning another global T20 title.

“I really hope it helps our domestic setup. We've obviously seen the WCPL come about, which I think has made a massive difference for our girls, getting to play against some of the best cricketers in the world and playing a high-quality tournament like that.

“But for me, it's got to start right up from our individual territories, putting things in place for the girls to have proper facilities to train at and a proper structure to the point where the girls don't have to be in camp in order to get proper training. So I'd love to see if we can go out there, do really well, and hopefully we can see something like that happening for us,” Matthews explained.

But before they can get there, they will have to get by a dangerous New Zealand team.

West Indies’ spinners denied Bangladesh a defendable total before they chased down 104 with 7.1 overs to spare for an eight-wicket win at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Karishma Ramharack restricted Bangladesh each time they looked to kick on, taking four for 17 as they set the Windies 104 to win.

An injured Stafanie Taylor batted valiantly to take West Indies to the verge of winning before Deandra Dottin sealed it with two huge sixes.

Scores: Bangladesh 103/8 in 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 39, Dilara Akter 19; Karishma Ramharack 4/17, Afy Fletcher 2/25); West Indies 104/2 in 12.5 overs (Hayley Matthews 34, Stafanie Taylor 27; Marufa Akter 1/20, Nahida Akter 1/22)

Bangladesh were put into bat and started nervously with Dilara Akter unsettled by two deliveries from Chinelle Henry before crunching her for the first four of the match to show attacking intent. Shathi Rani immediately followed up with a four of her own off the first ball from Hayley Matthews, but the promising partnership ended at just 18 runs after Shathi was stumped by Shemaine Campbelle off the bowling of Ramharack.

Two overs later, Ramharack’s return to the attack again brought a wicket as Dilara departed for 19 with Bangladesh ending the powerplay on 33 for two. By the ninth over, Bangladesh were facing the choice between stick or twist and captain Nigar Sultana Joty made the decision up against Afy Fletcher.

Two runs off the first ball was followed by back-to-back fours before Deandra Dottin failed to get her fingers fully under a diving catch with Nigar on 13. The skipper made the Windies pay with a final boundary to take 14 off the over, and at the halfway stage Bangladesh were on target for their highest score at a T20 World Cup at 58 for two.

Campbelle was consistently in the game and almost had a second stumping but her take to dismiss Nigar was judged to have been in front of the stumps. The resulting no ball was smashed for four to add insult to injury before Ramharack got a third wicket in her third over as Sobhana Mostary was out for 16 having moved to 96 runs for the tournament – the joint third-best at this World Cup.

Bangladesh were rocked as Fletcher took two in two balls to reduce them to 75 for five with the same happening in the final over as Nigar departed for 39 to Rahmarack, as the Tigers reached 103 for eight.

Bangladesh would have been buoyed by the complete spin dominance among West Indies’ wicket takers however, taking wickets proved an issue for Bangladesh as Matthews and opening partner Taylor compiled 48 runs for no loss in the powerplay.

Taylor was showing clear discomfort having injured herself with some heroic fielding early in Bangladesh’s innings and they were then struck by their own injury worry as Nigar required treatment on her knee before she could continue.

After that stoppage, the breakthrough finally came through Marufa Akter who clean-bowled Matthews for 34 from 22. A second wicket could have come eight balls later, but Sobhana could not hold onto a shot from Taylor who survived on 23.

Taylor added four runs to her score before she retired hurt and Dottin came out to bat with Windies needing 31 to win with 60 balls remaining.

Dottin sensed the chance to get the victory wrapped up quickly and took it with two sixes in three balls to set up an exciting clash with England on Tuesday. 

After an impressive six-wicket win over Scotland, West Indies women will seek to build on that momentum when they take on Bangladesh in a crucial encounter that could define their campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The Caribbean side will enter Thursday’s contest knowing that another win would keep their semi-final hopes alive, as they currently sit in third position on two points, two behind leaders South Africa and England on four points each.

The first ball is 9:00am Jamaica time.

West Indies’ victory over Scotland was a much-needed confidence boost for the team, especially after a crushing 10-wicket loss to South Africa in their opening match. The win not only lifted their spirits but also boosted their net run rate, a key factor in determining the semi-final spots should multiple teams finish level on points.

Assistant coach Ryan Austin emphasized the Hayley Matthews-led team’s readiness to handle what promises to be a tricky challenge, as Bangladesh bowlers, particularly their spinners, have proven to be formidable opponents.

“The team is pretty prepared. We obviously know that Bangladesh is basically a spin-based unit, but with our philosophies, we are more focused on what we can control. Having said that, we still have that element of power within our batting that could counter the spin as well,” Austin said in a pre-game press conference.

“If you look at the wicket, they are playing pretty slow at the moment. South Africa today (Wednesday) actually had a good total on the wicket, and if you watch how they batted, they actually used their feet a lot to the spin. So we are looking to obviously go into the game with that sort of temperament mindset with respect to their spin bowling attack as well. Sharjah has almost kind of a two-paced kind of wicket because during the day it's very low and slow, but in the evenings it kind of changes and comes alive,” he added.

Austin exuded confidence in his team’s batting prowess, with the likes of Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, and Shemaine Campbelle expected to play pivotal roles, especially with the group being poised for a tight finish.

Though those proverbial big guns are yet to really fire, Austin believes their true potential should come to the fore in Thursday’s game, as well as the decisive fixture against England. West Indies currently have a positive net run rate of 1.154, only bettered by leaders South Africa, who have 1.527.

“If you look at how our group is set up, net run-rate is really going to be a big factor later down, especially, if we win both games against Bangladesh and England. So one of the things that we really have to look at is how we go about executing, especially in this game against Bangladesh. So our game plan is to at least probably both first and then try to get to our target as fast as possible,” Austin reasoned.

He continued: “A lot of the ladies are pretty confident. When you have Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Stephanie Taylor in your side, you know, it becomes pretty easy because these ladies have a lot of experience. They are already having conversations amongst themselves.

“They are already gearing up for the practice session tonight, going to be planning for that. So, you know, it's pretty easy with these girls, and I am sure they are confident. Having said that, Hayley hasn't scored any runs as yet, so I am pretty sure she's hungry. So Bangladesh and England better watch out because she's coming.”

That said, Austin also pointed to the strength of the bowling department, which shone in their last outing. The likes of Karishma Ramharack and Shamilia Connell, among others, are expected to keep Bangladesh’s batters in check.

“They are going to be key, but we also have some players like Chinelle Henry, who is also really hitting the ball really hard, and her confidence has grown from the last game after getting player the match. There's also Aaliyah Alleyne, who can hit it as well, and Qiana Joseph is coming on well. So the other girls are really stepping up and stepping into line, which is a positive for us from a batting and bowling perspective,” Austin ended.

After an undesirable start to their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews is hopeful that her team can turn around their fortune and possibly challenge for a spot in the semi-final.

Matthews’ optimism follows their 10-wicket hammering by South Africa in their opening fixture in Dubai on Friday.

In that contest, Matthews believes her team failed to properly acclimatize to the conditions, as they mustered a meagre 118 for six in their 20 overs. South Africa, led by half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, then made light work of the target at 119 without loss in 17.5 overs.

However, with Scotland being the Caribbean side’s next assignment on Sunday morning, Matthews says they will have to pick up the pieces and bounce back.

 “Obviously a pretty disappointing game (against South Africa). Firstly, not scoring enough runs on the board, and we would have liked to have taken a few wickets and at least put up a bit more of a fight in the second innings,” Matthews said.

“But with a game in two days’ time, we’re going to have to get things back together quickly and pick up the pieces and go again,” she added.

Reflecting on the outcome against South Africa, Matthews felt her team was undone by challenging conditions.

“It’s pretty hot here in Dubai. I’d probably have to say the hottest place I’ve ever played cricket or even been, and that’s someone coming from the West Indies. It’s definitely been some difficult conditions. We’ve been here for about two weeks, thankfully, and we’ve been able to acclimatise as much as we possibly can to conditions like this,” Matthews shared.

She continued: “I think we came down here expecting some pretty good wickets. We’ve camped here quite a bit when we went to Pakistan in April, and we tend to spend some time down here training, so we knew what the ICC Academy grounds were like, and those were pretty decent wickets early.

“It wasn’t a bad wicket. South Africa showed you can really bat on a wicket like that and even us in parts. Stafanie Taylor was able to take charge of the game as well throughout the middle. I don’t think the conditions surprised us too much. We probably just didn’t adapt to them as well.”

Matthews also addressed concerns surrounding Zaida James, who was hit in the face, and Taylor, who appeared to be cramping and had difficulty running between the wickets.

“For Zaida, it was pretty much just a knock on her face. I think the seam might have hit her in the face, so she was in a bit of discomfort. There’s a bit of swelling around her jaw, but she’s a tough girl, so hopefully it’s just one of those knocks that you get on the field, and hopefully she’ll be able to be out on the field for the next match,” Matthews noted.

The West Indies Women’s team endured a disappointing start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, falling to South Africa Women by 10 wickets in their Group B opener in Dubai on Friday. South Africa's captain, Laura Woolvaardt, won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that quickly paid off as the West Indies struggled from the outset.

The West Indies were reeling at 32-3 by the seventh over, with early dismissals of captain Hayley Matthews (10), Qiana Joseph (4), and Deandra Dottin (13). Former captain Stafanie Taylor tried to steady the innings with an unbeaten 44 off 41 balls, but her efforts were not enough to build any significant partnerships as wickets continued to fall around her. Contributions from Shemaine Campbell (17) and Zaida James (15) offered little resistance, and the team managed to post a modest total of 118-6 from their 20 overs.

South Africa’s bowlers were in fine form, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the attack, taking 4-29 with her slow left-arm spin. Marizanne Kapp provided strong support, claiming 2-14 as the West Indies struggled to accelerate.

In response, South Africa made light work of the chase, reaching 119-0 in 17.5 overs without losing a wicket. Woolvaardt anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 55 balls, including seven fours. Her opening partner, Tazmin Brits, was equally effective, scoring 57 not out from 52 deliveries, striking six boundaries as they capitalized on a lacklustre West Indies bowling attack.

The defeat serves as a stark wake-up call for the West Indies, who will need to regroup quickly if they are to advance in the tournament. Their next match in Group B will be crucial as they seek to bounce back from this disappointing start.

Final scores in the match were West Indies Women 118-6 (20 overs) and South Africa Women 119-0 (17.5 overs), with South Africa securing a dominant victory in their opening game.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a historic step by offering multi-year contracts to nine players from its senior men’s and women’s teams, marking a significant moment in the region’s cricketing landscape. This milestone follows the signing of a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) in January 2024.

 As part of this groundbreaking agreement, six male players and three female players were awarded multi-year contracts based on their outstanding performances during the 2023-2024 evaluation period. These contracts highlight CWI's commitment to fostering stability within the team and its dedication to developing top-tier talent in the region.

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, praised the move, stating, "The players have responded in kind, and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence, and commitment on both sides. I’d like to congratulate the entire cohort on their contract awards, and I look forward to seeing them build on their performances in the next assessment period.”

Among the men awarded multi-year contracts are star wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, along with rising talents Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. These players have been recognized for their consistency and pivotal contributions during the evaluation period.

 On the women’s side, all-rounders Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor, along with wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle, have earned multi-year contracts. Their leadership and performances have been key in maintaining stability within the women’s squad.

 In addition to the multi-year contracts, several players were also awarded one-year international contracts. For the men, these include established names like Kraigg Brathwaite, Joshua Da Silva, and Rovman Powell, as well as newcomers Kavem Hodge and Roston Chase, who earned their first international contracts after impressive performances in 2023 and 2024.

 On the women’s side, notable players like Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, and Deandra Dottin continue to be part of the contracted group, along with emerging talents such as Cherry Ann Fraser, Zaida James, and Ashmini Munisar, the latter being awarded an international contract for the first time following her standout performances in regional competitions.

 As CWI moves forward with this historic contract structure, the organization hopes that these multi-year contracts will not only provide stability but also inspire further growth and commitment from the players as they build on their achievements and prepare for future international challenges.

The 2016 ICC Women's T20 World Cup win gets brought up in the group from time to time, mainly because it feels like it was so long ago. The older players often talk about the emotions surrounding that victory—not just what it meant for us but also for the younger girls watching as they were coming up through the system. As a team now, we're hoping to recreate that success, knowing how much of an impact it will have—not just on us but on cricket in the Caribbean, where the sport holds such huge significance.

We can see first-hand what we, as the older girls in the group, have done for the younger girls coming in now, and we would just love to be able to inspire another generation of girls coming up.

Looking at the present, we’re coming to a World Cup, and we want to win, who doesn’t? I think a World Cup is one of those tournaments, especially T20 World Cups, where, if you have some good performances on a big day, it can get you through the stages.

This is, if not our best, definitely one of our best squads that we have had at a T20 World Cup. We have seen a lot of our senior players really improve, like Shemaine Campbelle who has been so much more consistent lately. And players like Aaliyah Alleyne, who has stepped up and improved her game and has played more important roles in matches.

The thing that has been really good, is the camaraderie in the group, it feels like a massive, safe space and somewhere where everyone feels super comfortable. Even the young ones who have come into the group have been able to settle and gel really well with the older ones, and there is tremendous mutual respect, which is really good for us.

Spin tends to dominate World Cups, no matter where they're played. In women's cricket, especially, spinners frequently top the charts and rankings, so I believe spin will play a significant role. Fortunately, for us, we have got quite a few spinners in our arsenal, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, young Zaida James, and me.

We strongly believe that spin will play a major role, and the team has been selected with that in mind. Hopefully, as a spin unit, we can go out there and make a significant impact with the ball.

It’s hard to believe I’ve just reached 10 years in international cricket—it feels like the time has flown by, and in many ways, it still feels like I’m just starting out. I remember making my debut at Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, walking onto the field, nervous and trembling, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Looking back now, 10 years have passed, and I’m now the captain of the West Indies—so much has changed since that day.

One area I’ve struggled with early on is maintaining consistency, but I have been able to improve vastly over the last couple of years. I feel like if I can keep up with the consistency I have now and the performances I have now, I can hopefully finish this game as one of the best. I think I still have a long way to go, so I am just taking it one step at a time and trying to perform well every time I go out on the park, and whatever comes from it, will come from it.

Star all-rounder Deandra Dottin will wear West Indies colors once again as she was named on Thursday in the regional squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for October 3-20 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Dottin is in line for her first international appearance since her 2022 retirement when the West Indies take on South Africa in their first group match on October 4.

The best cricketer in the world right now, Hayley Matthews, will once again lead the side that also sees the inclusion of regulars like Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Shamilia Connell, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle and Karishma Ramharack.

The squad also boasts a fine mixture of youth and experience with the presence of 19-year-old Zaida James and 20-year-old Ashmini Munisar, who both represented the West Indies at the most recent ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup.

St. Lucian Nerissa Crafton is the only member of the squad with no international experience while this will be the first T20 World Cup for Qiana Joseph and Mandy Mangru.

In addition to South Africa, the West Indies will take on Bangladesh, England and Scotland in Group B of the tournament.

After facing South Africa on October 4, they will Scotland on October 6, Bangladesh on October 10 and England on October 15.

The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals.

Full Squad: Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Ashmini Munisar, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton, Shamilia Connell, Stafanie Taylor, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph

An impressive all-round bowling performance and ice-veined innings from captain Hayley Matthews saw Barbados Royals defeat Guyana Amazon Warriors by one wicket with a solitary delivery remaining in a thrilling opening match of the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). 

 Matthews won the toss and chose to field first at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and her side restricted the Warriors to what was thought to be a below-par score of 118-9 off their 20 overs. The wickets were shared around between Royals’ seam and spin bowlers, Aaliyah Alleyne taking 3-21 from her four overs including the crucial wicket of a well-set Stafanie Taylor for 38.

 It was far from a comfortable chase for the Royals, the 2023 champions found themselves 44-3 and 50-4 during their innings but Matthews kept her head with wickets falling all around her, finishing unbeaten on 61 not out off 58 deliveries having batted through the innings to secure victory for her side and get the defence of their trophy off to a winning start.

An undulating match began with the Warriors struggling to get any momentum with the bat after losing both openers inside the PowerPlay. Captain Lauren Winford-Hill was bowled by a fast delivery from Alleyne that zipped off the floodlit wicket and Natasha McLean fended off Qiana Joseph to be well caught inside the inner circle by a diving Cherry-Ann Fraser.

At 59-2 after 10 overs the Warriors then lost wickets regularly in the second half of their innings which duly served to stifle their run scoring. 

 Stafanie Taylor played a typically classy knock, hitting four fours and a six to anchor the innings for the Warriors before Alleyne made the crucial breakthrough by bowling her with the second ball of the 17th over.  Amanda-Jade Wellington found turn and a kept a tight line for the Royals, the Australian leg-spinner finishing impressively with 2-19 off her four overs to set up a seemingly straightforward chase.

 The Royals also lost regular wickets in their reply, Shabnim Isamil the pick of bowlers for the Warriors,  picking 4-16 from her four overs and looking threatening with almost every delivery she sent down.

 Erin Burns pulled off an early contender for catch of the competition, a flashing drive by Georgia Redmayne seeing Burns produce a wonderfully athletic diving grab at point. Definitely one for the highlights reel and the repeat button.

 Chloe Tryon ensured the game went down to the wire by stitching together five consecutive dots to Shabika Gajnabi in a penultimate over that went for just one run.

 With seven needed off the final six balls, Winford-Hill entrusted 19-year-old leg-spinner Nyia Latchman with the final over. The teenager kept her nerve impressively but it wasn’t enough to stop Matthews using all her skill and experience to find the gaps in the outfield and get her side over the line at the last.

Stafanie Taylor will be back with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

Taylor led the Amazon Warriors to the final of the WCPL in 2023 where her team finished as runners up. 

She will be joined by fellow retained players Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean and Shakera Selman. 

The newly signed players for the Amazon Warriors are Australian batter Erin Burns who won the WCPL with the Barbados Royals in 2023 and South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon who was with the Royals at the 2022 WCPL. 

There are seven more spots in the squad left to fill and six of these players will be selected at the WCPL draft which will take place in July. The final spot will be the last overseas player which will be confirmed before the start of the tournament. 

The 2024 Massy WCPL will take place in Trinidad from 21 to 29 August will all seven matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. 

The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad before the draft is as follows: Stafanie Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, Shakera Selman, Chloe Tryon, Erin Burns

The West Indies Women clinched a six-wicket victory in the third T20 International against Sri Lanka Women, securing a come-from-behind 2-1 series win in Hambantota on Friday. The top three of Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews, and Shemaine Campbelle were instrumental in this triumphant end to a challenging tour.

Chasing a target of 142, the West Indies reached 142 for 4 with just one ball to spare, but the margin of victory belies the control they exuded throughout the chase. Campbelle remained unbeaten at the end, scoring a crucial 30-ball 41, guiding the visitors home.

The innings began with Taylor and Matthews putting on a 60-run opening stand in just 48 deliveries. Their partnership set the foundation for the chase, with Matthews then pairing up with Campbelle for a 44-ball 51-run stand. Matthews fell for a well-played 49, trapped leg before attempting to swipe one from Kawya Kavindi across the line, leaving West Indies at 111 for 2.

With the requirement at roughly a run-a-ball, Campbelle expertly navigated the remainder of the chase. Despite the late wickets of Chedean Nation and Aaliyah Alleyne in the 18th and 19th overs, which added some drama, smart running in the final over ensured there were no further blips, sealing the victory for the West Indies.

Earlier, the West Indies bowlers had put in a commendable performance after opting to field first. They got off to an ideal start by dismissing Vishmi Gunaratne off just the second ball of the innings, as the aggressive 18-year-old top-edged an attempted pull off Chinelle Henry.

Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama responded well to the early setback with a partnership of 55 off 54 balls. However, Samarawickrama's dismissal, chipping one back to Afy Fletcher, and Athapaththu's departure, caught excellently in the deep by Shamilia Connell, who made up for an earlier drop, came at crucial moments. Athapaththu's 38 and Dilhari's 26 off 22 provided some resistance, but their wickets stunted Sri Lanka's momentum.

Some late blows from Ama Kanchana and Nilakshi de Silva pushed Sri Lanka's total to a competitive 141 for 7. However, Player of the Series Matthews and her teammates ensured that the chase was completed with precision, making light work of what could have been a tricky target.

The West Indies Women secured their first victory of the tour in Sri Lanka with a convincing six-wicket win in the second T20 International on Wednesday. The win, achieved via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, saw the West Indies chase down a revised target of 99 runs with nine balls to spare, leveling the three-match T20I series 1-1.

After rain interrupted play in Hambantota, the West Indies were set a DLS-adjusted target of 99 runs in 15 overs. The chase was anchored by Stafanie Taylor, who scored an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls, ensuring her team stayed ahead of the DLS-par score throughout the innings.

Captain Hayley Matthews and Taylor got the visitors off to an ideal start, putting together a 44-run opening partnership in just 6.5 overs. Matthews, who scored 29 runs, fell to an arm ball from Sachini Nisansala, but her solid start provided a foundation for the West Indies' chase. Taylor then took control, forming a crucial 18-ball 24-run second-wicket partnership with Shemaine Campbelle, who contributed a quickfire 16 off 13 balls.

Despite the subsequent dismissals of Campbelle, Qiana Joseph, and Chedean Nation, the required run rate remained manageable, thanks to the positive approach of the West Indies batters. Aaliyah Alleyne sealed the victory with three boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari in the penultimate over, extinguishing any hopes of a Sri Lankan comeback.

Earlier in the match, Afy Fletcher played a pivotal role in restricting Sri Lanka to 89 for 4 in 15.2 overs before rain halted their innings. Fletcher's impressive figures of 4 for 23 included crucial wickets that derailed the hosts' innings. Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne had given Sri Lanka a steady start with a 44-run opening partnership, but their efforts came at a conservative pace, just under a run a ball.

Fletcher's breakthrough came when she spun one past Athapaththu, disturbing her stumps and halting her at 26 runs. Gunaratne, who labored for 24 runs off 35 balls, was trapped lbw by a Fletcher googly in the 14th over. Fletcher's earlier dismissals of Imesha Dulani, who was bowled while attempting a sweep, and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who top-edged a delivery, had already put Sri Lanka on the back foot.

Kavisha Dilhari showed some promise of a late counterattack, scoring 14 not out off just six balls, including two boundaries, but the rain brought an abrupt end to Sri Lanka's innings, leaving them with an incomplete total.

With this victory, the West Indies Women not only leveled the series but also gained crucial momentum heading into the final T20I. 

In a dominant display, Sri Lanka Women's cricket team crushed the West Indies Women by 160 runs in the third ODI in Hambantota on Friday, securing a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep. Sri Lanka's innings, led by half-centuries from Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani, set an imposing target of 275 for 6, before Sachini Nisansala's maiden five-wicket haul dismantled the West Indies, who were bowled out for a meager 115.

After being put into bat, Sri Lanka started strongly with an opening partnership of 93 runs between Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne. Gunaratne fell just six runs short of her half-century, miscuing a lofted shot to Aaliyah Alleyne at mid-off. Despite losing two more quick wickets, Sri Lanka's captain Athapaththu steadied the innings with a vital 57-run partnership with Nilakshika Silva.

Athapaththu's innings came to an end at 91 off 106 balls when Afy Fletcher spun one through her bat and pad, leaving Sri Lanka at 156 for 4. However, any hopes West Indies had of restricting the hosts were dashed by Silva and Sanjeewani. The duo added 117 runs for the fifth wicket, propelling Sri Lanka to a formidable total. Silva scored 63 off 78 balls, while Sanjeewani contributed a quick-fire 55 off 46 balls. The pair's efforts saw Sri Lanka plunder 93 runs in the final 10 overs, ensuring a challenging target for the visitors.

In response, the West Indies struggled from the outset, losing both Rashada Williams and skipper Shemaine Campbell within the first six overs. The only resistance came from Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor, who put together a 57-run partnership off 82 deliveries. However, Taylor's dismissal, edging behind off Oshadi Ranasinghe, left the West Indies in dire straits.

Nation, who top-scored with 46 off 57 balls, was bowled by Athapaththu, reducing the West Indies to 69 for 4. From there, Nisansala took over, exploiting the grip and turn of the surface with her slow left-arm orthodox deliveries. She trapped Zaida James leg before and accounted for Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, and Qiana Joseph, all of whom fell attempting aggressive shots.

Nisansala completed her five-for by dismissing Aaliyah Alleyne, who chipped a return catch after a brief cameo of 27 off 27 balls. The West Indies' innings folded for 115, with Nisansala finishing with figures of 5 for 28, marking her first five-wicket haul in ODIs.

This victory marks Sri Lanka's second series whitewash against the West Indies and highlights the stark difference in form and execution between the two sides. The West Indies will need to reassess and regroup after a disheartening series, while Sri Lanka can take confidence from their dominant performances as they look ahead to future challenges.