Leeward Islands Women lift first-ever T20 Blaze Trophy amid rain drama

St Vincent — The Leeward Islands Women made history on Friday, capturing their first-ever T20 Blaze title thanks to a resilient performance led by Shawnisha Hector.

The top-order batter smashed a match-winning 58 off 44 balls, featuring seven fours and two towering sixes, guiding her team to a competitive 111 for six in their 20 overs at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

The victory, decided via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after relentless rain curtailed Barbados’ chase, preserved the Leewards’ unbeaten record throughout the tournament and marked a milestone for the team.

Barbados’ chase cut short

Chasing 112 to win, Barbados appeared well-positioned at 79 for five after 16 overs, needing just 33 runs from the final 24 balls at 8.25 runs per over. However, heavy and persistent showers brought play to an abrupt halt. The DLS calculation determined that Barbados needed 86 runs at that stage, handing the Leewards a tense six-run victory.

An understandably disappointed Barbados captain, Aaliyah Alleyne, expressed confidence in her team’s ability to chase the target had the weather allowed.

“I wouldn’t say that anything went wrong. If we had the opportunity to go back out there, I think I would have backed my team to get us across the line. Unfortunately, this is how it goes and I’m a bit disappointed…” Alleyne said, collecting the US$10,000 runners-up prize.

Leeward Islands celebrate a first-ever triumph

Leeward Islands captain Amanda Edwards, moments before accepting the US$20,000 winners’ cheque, credited team spirit and perseverance for the milestone success.

“We are very overwhelmed about this win. The spirit in our camp is very high and we kept motivating each other,” Edwards said.

Hector and Reniece Boyce initially looked set to post a formidable total, putting together a 46-run opening partnership that lifted the Leewards to 68 for one. Boyce fell for 26 from 32 balls, dismissed by Theanny Herbert-Mayers, triggering a mini-collapse. Hector’s dismissal followed, leaving the Leewards at 95 for four. Alleyne later claimed two more wickets, finishing with 2-14, while Shamilia Connell supported with 2-18.

Barbados start promising, stumble in mid-innings

Barbados opened with intent as Eboni Brathwaite and Trishan Holder put on 31 runs for the first wicket. However, Edwards’ tactical move to deploy her spinners immediately paid dividends. Qiana Joseph removed Holder, who managed just six from 21 deliveries, while leg-spinner Rozel Liburd claimed the wickets of Brathwaite and Naijanni Cumberbatch, leaving Barbados at 43 for three after nine overs.

Alleyne and Asabi Callender stabilized the innings with a 30-run partnership, taking the score to 73 for three. Yet, consecutive run-outs of Callender and Shakera Selman in the penultimate and final balls of the 15th over shifted the momentum firmly to the Leewards.

Only three more balls were bowled before the rain forced the teams off the field. Alleyne remained unbeaten on 16, but Barbados ultimately fell agonizingly short.

Liburd leads the bowling charge

Rozel Liburd’s disciplined leg-spin was instrumental in the Leewards’ triumph. She finished with 2-12 from four overs, keeping the pressure on the Barbados batters and securing key breakthroughs at crucial junctures.

With Hector’s leadership and the team’s composure under pressure, the Leeward Islands Women will celebrate a historic T20 Blaze title while Barbados