T&T, Barbados set up blockbuster Rising Stars U-19 showdown

Trinidad and Tobago and defending champions Barbados have transformed the preliminary phase of the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship into a two-team race for supremacy.

Both sides remained unbeaten in Antigua on Wednesday, with Trinidad and Tobago extending their perfect record to four victories and Barbados surviving a dramatic six-run encounter with Jamaica. The results have already guaranteed both teams places in Saturday’s final, but Friday’s meeting between the unbeaten rivals promises to provide a compelling preview of the championship decider.

T&T, who finished third in the previous edition, were ruthless against the Leeward Islands at Coolidge Cricket Ground, while Barbados had to withstand a determined Jamaica fightback at Liberta Sports Club.

Ramnath spins T&T to another rout

Trinidad and Tobago needed little time to seize control against the Leeward Islands, dismissing their opponents for just 50 in 16.2 overs after the Leeward Islands chose to bat.

The destruction began with Brianna Harricharan, who claimed three early wickets to reduce the Leeward Islands to 23 for five after nine overs. Captain Aaliyah Weekes, opener Zara Skerritt and Cquinya Dasent were among her victims as the innings rapidly unraveled.

Then came Samara Ramnath.

Already the leading wicket-taker entering the penultimate round with 15 wickets, the spinner tore through the lower order to finish with remarkable figures of 4-3 from 2.2 overs.

Only Skerritt and Lois George, with 12 apiece, and Kerranique Skeete, with 10, managed double figures as the Leeward Islands collapsed.

T&T needed only 13.2 overs to complete the job, reaching 52 for two. Amrita Ramtahal remained unbeaten on 17 as Trinidad and Tobago secured their fourth victory from four matches.

With their place in the final already assured, T&T now turn their attention to Barbados and the chance to claim preliminary-round bragging rights.

Barbados survive a Jamaica scare

At Liberta Sports Club, Barbados discovered that defending a title can demand far more than simply producing another big score.

After smashing a record 206 for two against the Leeward Islands in the previous round, Barbados were restricted to 102 for eight from their 20 overs after being sent in to bat.

Zaniya Bruce provided the backbone of the innings with a patient 30 from 35 balls, while Jamis Morris-Alleyne added 10. Their 44-run partnership proved crucial after Barbados had stumbled to 21 for three.

Jamaica's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Davehjah Brown taking 3-10 and Brianna Plummer claiming 2-20.

Yet Jamaica also gave Barbados valuable assistance, conceding 23 extras, including 16 wides.

The defending champions appeared vulnerable, but their bowlers ultimately found enough to protect the modest total.

Jamaica fall just short

Jamaica's chase went down to the wire, but the required acceleration never quite arrived.

They finished their 20 overs at 96 for nine, six runs short of Barbados' target.

Adanya Baugh remained unbeaten on 14, while Sashane Ricketts made 13 and Shamara Hall and Zariah Blair contributed 10 apiece.

However, Jamaica's pursuit was undermined by a costly series of running errors. Five of their nine dismissals came through run-outs, denying them the opportunity to build the partnerships needed to complete the chase.

Barbados themselves conceded 25 extras, but Jamaica could not capitalize.

The victory was Barbados' third in four matches, lifting them to nine points, just one behind T&T, with one preliminary-round game remaining.

Windwards keep bronze hopes alive

Elsewhere, the Windward Islands strengthened their bid for a place in the bronze-medal match by defeating winless Guyana by 15 runs at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Batting first, the Windward Islands posted 93 for three in 20 overs, with Guyana's bowlers contributing heavily to the total through 25 extras, including 20 wides.

Captain Kaela George anchored the innings with an unbeaten 24 from 29 balls, while Mikayla Adams finished on 16 not out from 35 deliveries. Their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 57 gave the Windward Islands the late momentum they needed.

Guyana's reply never gathered sufficient pace. They closed on 78 for eight despite receiving 28 extras from the Windward Islands.

Sarah Bheir led the way with 24 from 31 balls, while captain Danellie Manns battled to an unbeaten 15 from 50 deliveries.

The Windward Islands' bowlers then completed the job. Giada Small claimed 3-13 and Ammie Antoine took 3-20, with Jaeda Tyrell adding 2-12.

The victory moved the Windward Islands level with Jamaica on four points in third place, keeping their hopes of reaching the bronze-medal match alive.

Guyana, meanwhile, remain without a victory after four matches.

Friday's collision looms

The preliminary round now reaches its most anticipated chapter.

Trinidad and Tobago have four wins from four matches. Barbados have three victories and one remaining challenge. Both are already assured of places in the final, but Friday's encounter offers something more: momentum, confidence and the psychological edge heading into the championship showdown.

With T&T's attack firing on all cylinders and Barbados proving they can survive under pressure, the stage is set for an intriguing clash between the tournament's two unbeaten forces.