Jamaica start T20 Blaze with loss to Leeward Islands

Before a ball was bowled in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze competition, Jamaica women’s head coach Shane Brooks said the two-week preparation for the tournament was not enough, and that lack of preparation showed in the opening fixture against the Leeward Islands yesterday.

The Jamaicans, with the likes of West Indies veterans Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation, suffered a nine-run loss in the second game at the Arnos Vale ground in St. Vincent.

Electing to field, the Jamaicans got the perfect start, as the very first ball bowled by Neisha Ann Waisome got the wicket of West Indies opener Qiana Joseph, who was caught and bowled brilliantly for a duck.

Driving upishly back down the ground, Joseph watched as Waisome stuck out a boot only for the shot to deflect into the air and back into the hands of the fast bowler.

Then the sloppiness crept into the fielding side’s game, as they put down opener Jahzara Claxton twice, before she eventually went caught for nine.

Those dropped chances would end up costing the Jamaican side, as they also put down Shawnisha Hector, who ended up top scoring with 56 off 55 balls in a total of 108 for five.

Hector batted all the way to the 19th over before she was caught by captain Rashada Williams off Nation.

Captain Amanda Williams chipped in with a valuable 20, which included three fours, as the Jamaicans fought back through Nation late with a couple of wickets towards the back end.

Nation finished with two for 15, while there was a wicket each for Waisome, Celina Whyte, and Taylor.

In reply, the early intent to go after the runs was clear, as Captain Williams flayed at the first couple of deliveries she faced.

However, she played one shot too many, and was caught for just four in the opening over. In no time, the Jamaicans were two wickets down, as number three batter Chrishana McKenzie handed Claxton her second wicket, falling for a duck with just 12 runs on the board.

In came the ever-reliable Taylor to join Nation, and they steadied the ship with a 48-run stand, only for Taylor to hole out in the deep to spinner Davronique Maynard for 25.

Maynard would chalk up a double strike, as she sent back Lena Scott for nought to leave the Jamaicans in a spot of bother at 60 for four in the 13th over.

Wickets would start tumbling at regular intervals, but Jamaica’s hope still rested on Nation, who was still there in the final over with the team needing 15 runs.

In the end, Chedean could not carry the ‘Nation’ on her back as only seven runs were scored off the final over bowled by Player of the Match Hector, who finished with 2-15. Nation ended unbeaten on 48 with Jaunel Deers not out on one.

In the opening game of the triple header, Guyana women defeated the Windward Islands women by seven runs. Guyana, asked to take the first strike made 96 for five. They then restricted the windwards to 89 for five in their 20 overs. At sports time, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados were in action.