The Trinbago Knight Riders have booked their place in the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) final after a dramatic four-wicket win against the Barbados Royals at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Jemimah Rodrigues was the hero of the day, guiding her team through a tense chase with an unbeaten 59 off 50 balls, ensuring the Knight Riders will have a shot at the championship.
Knight Riders’ Gritty Chase
Set a target of 131, the Knight Riders faced early setbacks, finding themselves at 43/3 with the top order struggling against disciplined bowling from the Royals. The pressure was immense, but Rodrigues held her nerve, methodically constructing her innings to keep the Knight Riders in the hunt.
The climax of the match came in the final over, with the Knight Riders needing six runs to win. Rodrigues, calm under pressure, struck a crucial boundary off Hayley Matthews on the third delivery and followed it up with a single that confirmed their place in the final. It was a masterclass in how to manage a tense chase, with Rodrigues’ innings being the cornerstone of the Knight Riders’ success.
Barbados Royals’ Effort Falls Short
The Barbados Royals, already through to the final after winning their first three matches, looked to extend their winning streak but fell short despite a strong start. Chamari Athapaththu was the standout performer for the Royals, scoring a gritty 70 off 63 balls, helping her team recover from a shaky position after losing early wickets.
However, the Royals were let down by their fielding, particularly when Djenaba Joseph dropped Rodrigues on 43, a mistake that would prove pivotal. The Royals’ inability to capitalize on this and other opportunities allowed the Knight Riders to inch closer to their target, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Knight Riders’ Bowlers Set the Tone Early
The match began with the Knight Riders winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision that paid off immediately. Shikha Pandey struck in the first over, removing the dangerous Hayley Matthews with a delivery that swung late, setting the tone for the innings. Shamilia Connell, making her debut, also impressed with two key wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Aaliyah Alleyne for a duck.
Despite Athapaththu’s efforts to anchor the innings, the Royals struggled to gain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Knight Riders’ bowlers kept the pressure on, limiting the Royals to 130/7, a total that looked competitive but ultimately proved insufficient.
Rodrigues’ Heroics Seal the Deal (Jemimah Rodrigues Leads Knight Riders to WCPL Final)
When the Knight Riders began their chase, the early dismissals of Harshitha Samarawickrama and captain Deandra Dottin put them on the back foot. Jess Jonassen attempted to stabilize the innings but was run out just as the team needed to accelerate. It was then that Rodrigues stepped up, working alongside Kycia Knight to keep the scoreboard ticking.
After Knight’s dismissal, Rodrigues took charge, hitting a crucial boundary in the penultimate over and then finishing the job in the final over. Her calm and composed approach under pressure was the difference-maker, earning the Knight Riders a hard-fought victory and a place in the final.
With this win, the Knight Riders set up a much-anticipated rematch against the Barbados Royals in the final, promising another thrilling encounter as the two top teams vie for the WCPL title.
