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Knight Riders claim inaugural CPL Women’s title

Published:Sunday | September 4, 2022 | 8:54 PMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer -
Jamaica's Natasha McLean (right) celebrates victory with (from left) Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed and Lee-Ann Kirby as the Trinbago Knight Riders won the inaugural Hero Caribbean Premier League Women's title on Sunday at Warner Park Sporting Complex in B
Randy Brooks - CPL T20
Jamaica's Natasha McLean (right) celebrates victory with (from left) Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed and Lee-Ann Kirby as the Trinbago Knight Riders won the inaugural Hero Caribbean Premier League Women's title on Sunday at Warner Park Sporting Complex in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis.

In a contest that pitted Deandra Dottin against Hayley Matthews as opposing captains, the former came out on top as the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) Women secured the first-ever Caribbean Premier League title following a narrow 10-run win over the Barbados Royals Women in the final on Sunday.

Both Dottin and Matthews came up big with the bat for their teams, but it was the off-spin of Anisa Mohammed that proved to be the catalyst for TKR who dismissed the Royals for 90 in 18.4 overs chasing 101 to win.

TKR, who were asked to take first strike, opened the innings with Dottin, who was her customary aggressive self, scoring 59 from 62 balls with four fours and two sixes.

The right-hander watched as wickets fell around her with regularity as South African Sune Luus was the only other batter to get into double figures with 12 from 16 balls.

Jamaican wicket-keeper Natasha McLean failed to spark with the bat, scoring only four runs, but her stint behind the stumps later in the game was exceptional when the Royals chased as she took two catches and executed a stumping.

Matthews came up big with the ball in the TKR innings, bagging three for 22 in her four overs while the other Jamaican in the Royals line-up, Chinelle Henry, went wicket-less in her two overs while conceding 11 runs.

With the brunt of the run-scoring lying heavily on the shoulders of Matthews, the right-hander also opened the innings for her team and was looking good despite a flurry of wickets falling.

The Royals were in a spot of bother at 74 for eight in the 17th over, still needing 27 runs to win.

Matthews got to 46 from 49 balls with three fours and was looking intent on taking her team over the line, however, Mohammed would return to bowl the 19th over, and her golden arm sent back Matthews to leave the Royals on 89 for nine.

The experienced Trinidadian off-spinner would then wrap up the innings in the same over when she had last batter Mandy Mangru bowled for a first-ball duck to seal the win for TKR.

Mohammed finished with three for 16 while there were two wickets each for Sheneta Grimmond, Hayley Jensen, and Luus.

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