Guyana suffered their first defeat of the Women’s T20 Blaze on Friday, going down to defending champions Jamaica in a low-scoring encounter in St Kitts – but the result was not enough to dislodge them from the top of the table.
The West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze, which began earlier this month, features six regional sides – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Windward Islands – and is approaching its final round of matches.
After cruising to victories over Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and defending champions Barbados, Guyana’s unbeaten run came to an end as Jamaica secured a decisive win to keep their own title hopes alive.
Batting first, the Guyanese side never found their rhythm and were bowled out for a modest total. Captain and wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle top-scored with 32 off 33 balls, anchoring the innings after early losses.
Realeanna Grimmond fell lbw to Chinelle Henry for 1, while Mandy Mangru made just 4 before being caught by substitute fielder KM Wilmott off Natasha Waisome.
Shabika Gajnabi contributed 16, but was caught and bowled by Naomi Campbell. Campbelle’s dismissal – caught by Waisome off the bowling of Vanessa Watts – triggered a middle-order collapse, with Cherry-Ann Fraser (2), Ashmini Munisar (9), and Sheneta Grimmond (8) offering little resistance.
Watts was the pick of Jamaica’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 4 for 14 as she ran through the lower order. Only Katana Mentore remained unbeaten, ending on 5 not out as Guyana were bowled out inside 20 overs.
Despite the setback, Guyana women remain top of the standings on 33 points with a net run rate of +0.761. Jamaica, boosted by the win, moved up to second with 31 points and a superior net run rate of +1.242, while Leeward Islands sit third with 29 points.
With one round remaining, the title race remains finely balanced with a rematch between Guyana and Jamaica in Sunday’s final match.
