Bean-Rasario & Leeward Islands Stun Jamaica in T20 Opener
IslandStats.com
Leeward Islands 108/5 Jamaica 99/8
Bermudian all-rounder Katherine Bean-Rosario and her Leeward Islands teammates enjoyed a dream start to their Cricket West Indies (CWI) T20 Blaze campaign, securing a gritty nine-run victory over a formidable Jamaica side at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent.
Jamaica won the toss and elected to field, a decision that bore immediate fruit as the Leeward Islands lost a wicket to the very first ball of the match. However, the Leewards showed immense resilience to recover, posting a competitive 108-5 from their allotted 20 overs.
The backbone of the innings was a brilliant half-century from Shawnisha Hector, who struck 55 off 55 balls to anchor the side. Bean-Rosario, though part of the playing XI, was not required to bat as the top order held firm. Jamaica’s Chedean Nation was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 2-15 from her four overs.
In response, Jamaica’s chase was largely a solo effort from Nation, who followed up her bowling performance with a defiant unbeaten 48 off 50 balls.
The game hung in the balance during a crucial third-wicket partnership of 48 between Nation and the legendary former West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor. However, once that stand was broken, the Leeward Islands' bowlers tightened their grip. Hector capped off a superb individual day by taking 2-15 to mirror Nation's bowling figures and restrict Jamaica to 99-8.
The victory provides the Leeward Islands with vital momentum in what is a landmark year for the women's game in the West Indies, with the T20 Blaze serving as a key selection platform ahead of this summer’s international schedule.
Leeward Islands Innings
..00 (01) Qiana Joseph c & b Neisha-Ann Waisome ..56 (55) Shawnisha Hector c Rashada Williams b Chedean Nation ..09 (19) Jahzara Claxton c Kate Wilmott b Celina Whyte ..05 (14) Reniece Boyce LBW Stafanie Taylor ..20 (22) Amanda Edwards c Jaunel Deers b Chedean Nation ..05 (04) Kimberly Anthony Not Out ..03 (05) Kayzg Boyles Not Out ..10 Extras (9w-1lb) 108 Total for 6 wickets after 20 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Joseph), 2-35 (Claxton), 3-52 (Boyce), 4-100 (Hector), 5-101 (Edwards)
Jamaica Bowlers
3.0-0-21-1 Neisha-Ann Waisome 4.0-0-14-0 Vanessa Watts 3.0-0-22-0 Kate Wilmott 2.0-0-11-1 Celina Whyte 4.0-0-24-1 Stafanie Taylor 4.0-0-15-2 Chedean Nation
Jamaica Inning
..04 (05) Rashada Williams c Aaliyah Weekes b Jahzara Claxton ..48 (50) Chedean Nation Not Out ..00 (04) Chrishana McKenzie c & b Jahzara Claxton ..25 (33) Stafanie Taylor c Reniece Boyce b Davronique Maynard ..00 (03) Lena Scott c Rozel Liburd b Davronique Maynard ..07 (09) Kate Wilmott c Shawnisha Hector b Amanda Edwards ..01 (02) Neisha-Ann Waisome LBW Qiana Joseph ..02 (06) Sherene Burnett b Shawnisha Hector ..00 (03) Vanessa Watts c Qiana Joseph b Shawnisha Hector ..01 (04) Jaunel Deers Not Out ..11 Extras (1b-10w) ..99 Total for 8 wickets after 20 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-5 (Williams), 2-12 (McKenzie), 3-60 (Taylor), 4-60 (Scott), 5-79 (Wilmott), 6-80 (Waisome), 7-83 (Burnett), 8-83 (Watts)
