The Barbados Royals continued their dominant start in the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), securing a convincing seven-wicket victory over Trinbago Knight Riders in the second match of the tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad. The Royals’ captain, Hayley Matthews, once again showcased her brilliance with a match-winning performance, solidifying her status as one of the top players in the white-ball format.
After leading her team to victory in the first match with an unbeaten 61, Matthews followed it up with another stellar innings, finishing unbeaten on 67 off 56 balls. Her commanding display, which included 12 boundaries, ensured the Royals chased down the Knight Riders’ modest total of 113/9 with 17 balls to spare. This victory marked the Royals’ second consecutive win in the tournament, making them the team to beat in the early stages of this year’s WCPL.
Matthews set the tone for the match right from the start, winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Her decision paid off immediately as Chinelle Henry struck with the very first ball of the match, clean-bowling Kycia Knight. This early breakthrough sparked a collapse in the Knight Riders’ batting lineup, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
The Knight Riders struggled to build any momentum, finding themselves in deep trouble at 57/6 at the halfway mark of their innings. However, a resilient partnership between Shikha Pandey and Zaida James added some respectability to their total. The pair put on 50 runs off 47 deliveries for the seventh wicket, helping the Knight Riders reach 113/9 by the end of their 20 overs. Pandey was the top scorer for her side, contributing 30 runs with a series of deft cuts and well-placed shots that pierced the field.
Despite the late recovery, the Knight Riders’ total always looked below par against a strong Royals batting lineup. Matthews, who had already made an impact with a fine diving catch in the outfield, took charge of the chase with her trademark blend of power and precision. Her authoritative stroke play, combined with her ability to find the boundary with ease, made the target of 114 runs seem like a formality.
Matthews capped off her all-round performance by taking two crucial wickets, dismissing Zaida James and Jazhara Claxton with her off-spin, returning figures of 2-21. Chinelle Henry and Amanda-Jade Wellington also chipped in with two wickets each, while Qiana Joseph and Aaliyah Alleyne picked up a wicket apiece. The Royals’ bowlers once again delivered a collective performance, leaving the Knight Riders with no answers.
The victory leaves the Barbados Royals at the top of the WCPL standings with two wins from two matches. With Matthews leading from the front and contributions coming from all departments, the Royals look well-positioned to challenge for the title this season.
As the defending champions, the Trinbago Knight Riders will need to regroup quickly after this defeat if they hope to stay in contention. Their next match will be crucial as they seek to bounce back and regain their winning form. However, with Hayley Matthews in such commanding form, the path to victory for any opposition team will be anything but easy.
