A match-winning knock of 49 from Kycia Knight led Barbados to a sensational victory over Windwards Islands in the third and final match of the fourth round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s T20 Blaze on Thursday. Left-hander Knight, an experienced international batter, struck five fours from 49 balls, as the Barbadians kept their calm to successfully reach 129-6 and record the victory off the last ball in the crucial contest under the lights at Warner Park.

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/216173/#scorecard

She shared a crucial second wicket stand of 66 with Naijanni Cumberbatch, the West Indies Rising Stars Under 19 batter, that was the mainstay which Barbados built their challenge on the highest target in this year’s event. Cumberbatch made 22, but she and Knight fell with victory in sight before left-hander Kyshona Knight, Kycia’s twin sister, guided the Barbadians home – hitting the winning run when she pulled Joseph, bowling her left-arm spin, through mid-wicket for a single.

The result gave Barbados their third win of the tournament, moving them to 12 points at the top of the standings with Guyana, who beat last year’s champions Jamaica in the first match of the day. Windwards remained on eight points from two wins in four matches.

The thrilling performance topped a run-a-ball, 50 from Joseph who cracked six fours and a six and anchored the Windwards to the highest total of the tournament this year of 128-8 from their 20 overs after they were put in to bat.

Batting in the middle-order, Joseph rescued her side after they were to 33-3 at the close of the powerplay, and she shared two valuable partnerships of 36 with Pearl Etienne for the fourth wicket and 45 with Malika Edward for the fifth wicket before falling with two balls remaining in the innings.

Edward made 20, but no other Windwards batsman reached that score, and they endured a further setback when Etienne retired hurt on 17 with a leg injury when they were 66 for three in the 13th over.

Shamilia Connell was the pick of the Barbados bowlers with 3-16 from her allotted four overs, while rookie seam bowler Allison Gordon was the ideal back up with the new ball as she ended with 2-20 from her four overs.

In the fifth and final round of matched on Saturday, Barbados play hosts Leeward Islands at Warner Park, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas face Guyana at St Paul’s Sports Complex, and Jamaica meet Windwards at Conaree Cricket Ground. All matches start at 8am (7am Jamaica).

MATCH SCHEDULE

Round 1: Saturday 20 May (all matches played at Warner Park)

Windward Islands vs Guyana – Guyana won by 4 runs

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – Jamaica won by 8 wickets

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Barbados – T&T Red Force Divas won by 5 wickets

Round 2: Sunday 21 May (all matches played at Warner Park)

Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – Windwards won by 46 runs

Guyana vs Barbados – Barbados won by 3 wickets

Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas – Jamaica won by 6 runs

Round 3: Tuesday 23 May (all matches played at Warner Park)

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Windward Islands – Windwards won by 7 wickets

Jamaica vs Barbados – Barbados won by 9 wickets

Guyana vs Leeward Islands – Guyana won by 5 wickets

Round 4: Thursday 25 May (all matches played at Warner Park)

Jamaica vs Guyana – Guyana won by 8 wickets

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas – T&T Red Force Divas won by 6 wickets

Barbados vs Windward Islands – Barbados won by 4 wickets

Round 5: Saturday 27 May – 8am

Leeward Islands vs Barbados – Warner Park

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Guyana – St Paul’s

Jamaica vs Windward Islands – Conaree

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