Tridents Women stun Empress in three-run thriller to revive playoff hopes
Key Points(5)
- Barbados Tridents Women produced a remarkable late recovery at Kensington Oval on Saturday, defending a modest total to defeat Jamaica Empress Women by three runs and breathe new life into their playoff aspirations.
- The Tridents appeared destined for another disappointing result when Jamaica’s chase gathered unstoppable momentum through the middle overs.
- Instead, the three-time defending Women’s Caribbean Premier League champions held their nerve in a remarkable finish, claiming their first victory of the tournament in their second match.
- Chasing 141, the Empress Women needed six runs from the final delivery to win outright or four to force a Super Over.
- Aaliyah Alleyne struck the ball straight down the ground, but the long-on fielder intervened, restricting the batters to a single.
Barbados Tridents Women produced a remarkable late recovery at Kensington Oval on Saturday, defending a modest total to defeat Jamaica Empress Women by three runs and breathe new life into their playoff aspirations.
The Tridents appeared destined for another disappointing result when Jamaica’s chase gathered unstoppable momentum through the middle overs.
Instead, the three-time defending Women’s Caribbean Premier League champions held their nerve in a remarkable finish, claiming their first victory of the tournament in their second match.
Chasing 141, the Empress Women needed six runs from the final delivery to win outright or four to force a Super Over.
Aaliyah Alleyne struck the ball straight down the ground, but the long-on fielder intervened, restricting the batters to a single.
The Tridents celebrated wildly as Jamaica finished on 137 for four, falling three runs short of victory.
The result kept Barbados alive in the playoff race after a match that had appeared firmly in Jamaica’s control.
Lanning and Hunter put Jamaica in command
The Empress Women’s pursuit could hardly have been more convincing during the opening 13 overs.
Meg Lanning and Amy Hunter combined for a commanding 104-run opening partnership, putting Jamaica firmly in the driver’s seat and leaving the Tridents struggling to find a way back into the contest.
Lanning was particularly fluent, striking eight boundaries in a 46-ball 57, while Hunter contributed 47 from 45 deliveries.
The partnership gave Jamaica a platform that suggested the target would be comfortably surpassed.
But the dismissal of Hunter changed the complexion of the chase.
Spinner Afy Fletcher finally broke through, removing the opener, before Suzie Bates accounted for Rashada Williams, who managed only four. The Empress slipped to 115 for two in the 16th over.
Even then, Jamaica remained in a strong position.
Tridents turn pressure into a stunning escape
The breakthrough that truly shifted the contest came when Qiana Joseph dismissed Lanning.
The Jamaican opener was caught at point while attempting to clear the infield, departing with the Empress on 118 for three.
That wicket offered Barbados a glimmer of hope, but Jamaica still appeared capable of closing out the chase.
Chinelle Henry then surrendered her wicket unnecessarily, hitting Cherry-Ann Fraser straight to the long-on fielder. The dismissal left the Empress needing 10 runs from nine deliveries.
Alleyne managed only one run from the final ball of the over, reducing the requirement to nine from six.
Joseph returned for the decisive over and delivered under immense pressure, conceding just four singles from her first five balls.
With six runs needed from the final two deliveries, Jamaica captain Stafanie Taylor took a single from the penultimate ball, leaving Alleyne with the responsibility of completing the chase.
But the final blow never came.
Alleyne’s straight drive was stopped at long-on, and the resulting single was not enough to prevent Barbados from completing an extraordinary three-run victory.
Taylor’s four-wicket haul restricts Barbados
Earlier, Jamaica had appeared to put itself in position to win the match through a disciplined bowling performance led by captain Stafanie Taylor.
Taylor claimed four wickets for 29 runs, helping reduce the Tridents to 56 for four in the 10th over.
The home side’s innings appeared to be in serious trouble, with Jamaica’s bowlers maintaining control and preventing the lower order from generating momentum.
However, Suzie Bates and Maddy Green produced the partnership that transformed Barbados’ prospects.
Bates and Green rebuild the Tridents’ innings
Bates, who was later named Player of the Match, played a crucial unbeaten innings of 39 from 28 balls.
She combined with Green, who also scored 39, in a vital 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Their stand revived an innings that had threatened to collapse and gave Barbados a competitive total of 140 for seven.
The Tridents’ recovery was particularly valuable given the pressure applied by Taylor, who had already dismantled the top and middle order.
The Jamaican captain struck again late in the innings, dismissing Green, Pooja Vastrakar and Cherry-Ann Fraser in quick succession to finish with impressive figures of 4-29.
Those wickets prevented Barbados from producing an even stronger finish, but the 140-run total ultimately proved sufficient.
A victory that changes the playoff picture
The Tridents’ escape was built on resilience: a late batting recovery, disciplined bowling and a final over in which Joseph refused to surrender the advantage.
For Jamaica, the defeat represented a dramatic reversal after a dominant opening partnership had placed the chase firmly within reach.
For Barbados, however, the three-run triumph delivered more than a first win.
It kept the defending champions’ playoff hopes alive and provided a timely reminder that even a seemingly comfortable run chase can unravel under pressure.
