Williams fifty hands Ja opening win

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Rashada Williams struck a half-century to cancel out that of West Indies teammate Qiana Joseph’s as newly crowned Super50 champions Jamaica opened the T20 Blaze with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Windward Islands.

Chasing 118 at Warner Park in the final game of Sunday’s triple-header, Jamaica reached their target with four overs to spare, with opener Williams belting a swift 35-ball 52.

Earlier, Joseph had cracked a near run-a-ball 56 to help Windwards up to 117 for five from their 20 overs after they chose to bat first.

The 23-year-old Joseph, better known for his left-arm slow bowling, struck eight fours in a 55-ball knock as she posted 93 for the first wicket with Jannelia Glasgow, who hit 37 from 49 balls with four fours.

Their separation – when the 20-year-old left-handed Glasgow missed a swing at off-spinner Chedean Nation (3-19) and was castled at the start of the 17th over – saw the innings decline as Windwards subsequently struggled to find any acceleration.

In reply, Williams also gave her side an enterprising start, thumping eight fours as she added 48 off just 28 balls for the first wicket with fellow West Indies star Natasha McLean (19) and a further 35 for the second wicket with Nation (9).

When Nation hit across a straight one from left-arm spinner Zaida James (2-16) and was lbw at the start of the 11th over and Williams followed in the 14th, deceived and bowled by a Afy Fletcher googly, captain Stafanie Taylor (16 not out) and Chinelle Henry (13 not out) carried Jamaica over the line.