Barbados Royals complete historic WCPL hat-trick in Providence thriller
Key Points(5)
- The Barbados Royals cemented their place as the undisputed queens of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), edging the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets in a nail-biting final at Providence.
- With the win, the Royals completed a flawless campaign, going unbeaten to capture their third straight title and spark jubilant celebrations in pink.
- <h2>Warriors build steady but modest total</h2> Put in to bat, the Amazon Warriors posted 136 for three from their 20 overs.
- Opener Amy Hunter provided a patient 29 from 36 deliveries, but the innings never quite found the fireworks needed to push beyond par.
- Captain Shermaine Campbelle and Dane van Niekerk steadied the ship after Stafanie Taylor was forced to retire hurt, crafting an unbeaten 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The Barbados Royals cemented their place as the undisputed queens of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), edging the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets in a nail-biting final at Providence.
With the win, the Royals completed a flawless campaign, going unbeaten to capture their third straight title and spark jubilant celebrations in pink.
Warriors build steady but modest total
Put in to bat, the Amazon Warriors posted 136 for three from their 20 overs. Opener Amy Hunter provided a patient 29 from 36 deliveries, but the innings never quite found the fireworks needed to push beyond par.
Captain Shermaine Campbelle and Dane van Niekerk steadied the ship after Stafanie Taylor was forced to retire hurt, crafting an unbeaten 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their composure gave the Warriors late momentum, but the target remained within reach for the reigning champions.
Early blows and mid-innings stability
The Royals’ chase began shakily as they lost two wickets inside the Powerplay, including the in-form Chamari Athapaththu for 25. Yet Kycia Knight and Courtney Webb calmly rebuilt, anchoring the innings and setting up what looked like a smooth path to victory.
At 108 for four in the 17th over, the Royals appeared in control. But the final stages delivered pure drama as they stumbled to 110 for seven, losing three wickets for just two runs and leaving the door ajar for the Warriors.
Alleyne turns the tide
With 19 required from the final two overs, Aaliyah Alleyne rose to the occasion. She smashed seamer Molly Penfold for six and four in consecutive balls, almost single-handedly swinging the momentum back to the Royals.
That left Laura Harris with just four runs to defend in the last over. Alleyne, with support from Shreyanka Patil, ensured there would be no further collapse, their 27-run partnership from 14 balls sealing the victory with two deliveries to spare.
Athapaththu claims top honors
Despite her early dismissal in the final, Chamari Athapaththu finished as the tournament’s standout performer, topping the runs chart and taking seven wickets to earn the Player of the Series award.
Warriors duo Ashmini Munisar and Laura Harris shared the Most Wickets accolade with eight apiece, but their efforts could not deny the Royals. With this win, Barbados extended their iron grip over the Warriors to a lopsided 9–0 record in WCPL history.
A dynasty confirmed
For the Royals, the third consecutive crown marks not only dominance but the creation of a WCPL dynasty. For the Warriors, it was another heartbreaking near-miss, their tears on the field reflecting just how close they had come to finally breaking the streak.
