GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Explosive West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin again proved superb as Barbados easily retained their Regional Super50 title by brushing aside archrivals T&T by 28 runs, in their final round match yesterday.
Both sides entered the contest at Enmore on the backs of four straight wins but it was Barbados who proved superior, chalking 242 for seven off their 50 overs and then restricting T&T to 214 all out in the 48th over.
Not for the first time, Dottin’s performance was the decisive factor as she stroked a half-century and grabbed a six-wicket haul to snatch Player-of-the-Match honours.
After Barbados were sent in, the 27-year-old veteran of over 100 ODIs and T20 Internationals struck a rapid 73 off 43 deliveries, to lead a trio of half-century makers as Kycia Knight top-scored with 77 while her twin, Kyshona Knight, chipped in with 56.
Their interventions were needed after captain Hayley Matthews and fellow opener Danielle Small perished without scoring to leave Barbados two wickets down without a run on the board in the second over.
But the Knight twin – both West Indies players – came to their side’s rescue in a 133-run, third wicket stand. The left-handed Kycia faced 88 deliveries and struck eight fours while Kyshona, also a left-hander, counted five fours in a patient 135-ball innings.
When both fell in the space of 25 balls, Dottin arrived at the crease to dominate in typical style, blasting three fours and half-dozen sixes in a frenetic 88-run, fifth wicket partnership with Charlene Taitt (15).
Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack was the best bowler with four for 37.
In reply, Felicia Walters (27) and Rachel Vincent (10) provided a 50-run opening stand for T&T but it consumed 97 deliveries and placed immense pressure on the innings.
Stacy-Ann King then chipped in with 38 from 49 balls , adding 44 for the third wicket with Britney Cooper (23), while former Windies skipper Merissa Aguilleira top-scored with 32 from 21 balls in a 49-run fifth wicket partnership with Reniece Boyce (39), in an attempt to repair the innings.
However, Dottin produced a telling burst with her medium pace to claim six for 38, scything through the middle and lower order as T&T crashed from 182 for four in the 42nd over, losing their last six wickets for just 30 runs.
At the National Stadium, Jamaica chased down a paltry 91 to beat Leeward Islands by eight wickets, with Windies captain Stafanie Taylor taking four for nine with her off-spin and international teammate Chedean Nation then stroking an unbeaten 53.
At Bourda, hosts Guyana beat Windward Islands by 52 runs after comfortably defending 132, with off-spinners Sheneta Grimmond (4-23) and Phaffiana Millington (3-12) doing the damage.
SCORES
At Enmore: Barbados won by 28 runs.
BARBADOS 242 for seven off 50 overs (Kycia Knight 77, Deandra Dottin 73, Kyshona Knight 56; Karishma Ramharack 4-37)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 214 off 47.5 overs (Reniece Boyce 39, Stacy-Ann King 38, Merissa Aguilleira 32; Deandra Dottin 6-38)
At National Stadium: Jamaica won by eight wickets.
LEEWARD ISLANDS 91 off 35.4 overs (Saneldo Willett 23; Stafanie Taylor 4-9, Vanessa Watts 3-14)
JAMAICA 96 for two off 15.2 overs (Chedean Nation 53 not out)
At Bourda: Guyana won by 52 runs.
GUYANA 132 off 33.2 overs (Erva Giddings 39; Afy Fletcher 3-19)
WINDWARD ISLANDS 75 off 33.2 overs (Afy Fletcher 26; Sheneta Grimmond 4-23, Phaffiana Millington 3-12)
CMC er/ed/19