Vincentians’ triumph, Fletcher blitz kickstart WICB Women’s T20

SAINT GEORGE, St. Vincent:

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Women's T20 Championship ignited with commanding performances on home soil and a spectacular individual century as St Vincent & the Grenadines and Grenada opened their campaigns with decisive victories Sunday.

In the tournament's opening match, the host nation, St Vincent & the Grenadines, secured a confident six-wicket win over St Lucia.

Asked to bat first, St. Lucia posted 117 for nine from their 20 overs, with Ashlene Edwards providing the backbone of the innings with a top score of 36.

Namiah Marcellin contributed 21, but her stay was ended by the incisive bowling of Tracy Byran, who finished with excellent figures of three for 19.

The Vincentian reply was anchored by a superb match-winning knock from West Indies batter Jannillea Glasgow.

Her fluent 60 steered the chase with authority, ably supported by Shannel Mackie's composed, unbeaten 26.

The hosts reached their target of 118 with eight balls to spare, finishing on 118 for four in 18.4 overs to the delight of the local supporters.

The day's second game, however, was utterly dominated by one player, Grenada's veteran West Indies all-rounder Afy Fletcher.

After Grenada found themselves in a spot of trouble at 26 for two in the sixth over, Fletcher produced a breathtaking display of power hitting.

She blasted a magnificent 116 from just 66 deliveries, an innings punctuated by 14 ferocious fours and four towering sixes, single-handedly propelling her side to a formidable 182 for four.

Shell-shocked, Dominica had no answer with the bat. Their innings never gained momentum, and they were bundled out for a meagre 68, handing Grenada a colossal 114-run victory.

- CMC