The Barbados Royals Women launched their Women’s Caribbean Premier League title defense in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, brushing aside the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women by seven wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method at Providence Stadium.
Chasing a revised target of 138 in 18 overs, the Royals surged home with four balls to spare, closing at 140 for three. The victory was orchestrated by new skipper Chinelle Henry, who produced a blistering match-winning cameo to seal a dominant opening win.
Henry steps into the spotlight
With regular captain Hayley Matthews sidelined due to surgery, Henry seized her first outing as leader with a performance that lit up Providence. The all-rounder smashed 37 from just 19 deliveries, laced with four towering sixes and two boundaries, to swing momentum firmly back to the Royals after they wobbled at 87 for three in the 13th over.
Her explosive hitting, capped by a thunderous six over midwicket to finish the match, earned her the Player of the Match award and underscored her ability to thrive under pressure.
Amazon Warriors post strong total
Earlier, the Amazon Warriors had laid down a formidable marker with a total of 154 for four in their 20 overs. Opener Realeanna Grimmond was the backbone of the innings, compiling a composed, unbeaten 61 from 57 balls with six fours and a six.
She found solid support from Amy Hunter, who struck a lively 34 from 26 deliveries in an opening stand of 53. After Hunter’s dismissal, Grimmond and Stafanie Taylor added 44 more, while late fireworks came courtesy of Laura Harris, whose seven-ball cameo produced 26 runs, including three sixes.
For the Royals, Kycia Alleyne was the standout with the ball, claiming two for 27.
Steady platform before the onslaught
The Royals’ chase began smoothly, with Chamari Athapaththu (29) and Qiana Joseph (22) combining for a 44-run opening partnership. But the Amazon Warriors clawed back as Ashmini Munisar snared both openers in quick succession, and Harris added the scalp of Courtney Webb to leave the Royals under pressure.
That pressure was swiftly relieved by the partnership between Georgia Redmayne and Henry. Redmayne’s measured 33 not out from 29 balls kept the innings anchored, while Henry provided the fireworks in a decisive 53-run unbroken stand that carried the champions across the line.
The win lifts the Royals to a perfect start at 1-0, while the Amazon Warriors, who won their opener, slipped to 1-1. With momentum already swinging, the defending champions have sent a clear message that they remain the team to beat in this year’s CPL.
