WCPL 2024: Barbados Royals clinch back-to-back titles after defeating Trinbago Knight Riders in summit clash

Barbados Royals Women (Photo Source: WCPL)

The Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024 final took place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad on Friday, August 30. Barbados Royals went on to win the title for the second time in a row after registering a four-wicket win against Trinbago Knight Riders.

Defending champions Barbados, who came into the summit clash with three victories and one defeat under their belt, won the toss and opted to field first. Skipper Hayley Matthews got her team off to a fantastic start as she dismissed her opposite number, Deandra Dottin in the second over. Chinelle Henry came to the party in the third over by picking up the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues.

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At the end of the third over, the Knights were placed at 10/2 and they decided to spring a surprise by promoting Shikha Pandey to No. 5. The Indian pacer joined Jannillea Glasgow in the middle and they stitched a watchful partnership of 43 runs off 49 balls. However, from 53/2, the Dottin’s women slumped to 75/8 in the 17th over.

Experienced campaigners – Kycia Knight and Anisa Mohammed showed some resistance and prevented their team from getting bowled out. Their 18-run partnership off 19 balls took Trinbago to 93/8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Knights chip away at the wickets column but Athapaththu reigns supreme

Chamari Athapaththu came out all guns blazing and added 48 runs inside the powerplay alongside Matthews. In the seventh over, Samara Ramnath gave the Knights their first breakthrough as she accounted for the wicket of Matthews.

Qiana Joseph came to the crease and added 18 runs with Athapaththu before becoming Ramnath’s second victim. Alleyne, who had finished with figures of 4/21 with the ball, couldn’t replicate the heroics with the bat as she perished after scoring just a couple of runs.

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Laura Harris hit two fours and one six en route to 15 off six balls as Athapaththu dropped anchor from the other end. After the Australian batter was dismissed, Rashada Williams and Henry also departed in quick succession as the Royals were placed at 87/6 in the 14th over. However, with a set Athapaththu at the crease and only seven runs to get off 38 balls, the chasing team was always the favourite to go the distance.

In the last ball of the 15th over, the Sri Lankan captain fittingly hit the winning runs to take her team to victory alongside Afy Fletcher. Athapaththu remained unbeaten on 39 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours during her knock.