Barbados completed an undefeated run in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze after beating Guyana by eight wickets in the final match of the tournament last evening at the Providence National Stadium.
Barbados added the T20 trophy to their Super50 title retention after restricting Guyana to a paltry 85-7 from their full quota before racing to 86-2 in 16.1 overs.
Guyana lost Tremayne Smartt who challenged the arm of Shai Carrington at cover in a losing cause for two while Sheneta Grimmond had her middle stumps uprooted by Shanika Bruce to see the hosts slip to 6-2 after just two overs.
But a third wicket partnership of 36 between Shemaine Campbelle and Melanie Henry, who was promoted back to the top of the order looked to restore Guyana’s hopes.
Henry toiled for a 24-ball 10 before holding out to mid-off while Campbelle looked positive but cautious with a 28-ball 18 before a leading edge from Hayley Matthews to Kyshona Knight at point ended her tournament with a tally of 165 from five matches.
Matthews then bowled Akaze Thompson the following delivery as Shebaki Gajnabi pushed with soft hands a return catch to Shakira Selman and Cherry Fraser belted two boundaries in a spirited 15.
Matthews ended with 2-13 to finish as the leading wicket taker with a total of 11 wickets as Selman also bagged two wickets.
In the chase of the sub-standard total, Guyana’s most effective bowler, left-arm seamer, Erva Giddings removed Danielle Small for just one while Matthews (15) was caught at short fine leg attempting a sweep but plucked Tremayne Smartt who held on safely after a few juggle and contain Barbados to 34-2 at the end of the 10th over.
But the chase was never a worry as Deandra Dottin and Kysia Knight reached their team’s target with an unbroken partnership of 58.
Dottin finished as the leading run getter with 222 following her unbeaten 43 from 28 balls.
Dottin continued her brutal form, punishing bowlers with six fours and two sixes, the first of which triggered a 14-run over from Grimmond that sailed several flights up the Red Stand at the mid-wicket boundary and the final one off of Thompson in the same area to seal the match.
Dottin was supported by Knight who cruised to 24 not out from 28 balls and included two boundaries.
During the presentation ceremony, Campbelle was rewarded for taking the most catches, three, while Terez Parker of Leeward Islands had the most dismissals behind the stumps with five.
