Royals Secure Third Consecutive WCPL Championship

The Barbados Royals etched their name in the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) history books, completing an undefeated campaign and securing their second consecutive title in a thrilling final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence. The victory marked a continuation of the Royals’ dominance over the Warriors, extending their head-to-head record to an impressive 9-0. The final, a pulsating encounter that went down to the wire, showcased the growing competitiveness and excitement of the women’s game in the Caribbean.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors, batting first, posted a competitive but ultimately insufficient total of 136/3. Opener Amy Hunter laid a solid foundation with a patient 29 off 36 balls, but the Warriors struggled to accelerate the scoring rate, hampered by a lack of boundaries. Stafanie Taylor’s unfortunate retirement due to injury further impeded their progress just as they looked to up the ante. A crucial unbeaten partnership of 56 runs between Dane van Niekerk and captain Shermaine Campbelle salvaged the innings, providing a late surge and setting the stage for a captivating chase.

The Barbados Royals, in pursuit of their third successive WCPL crown, faced an early setback losing two wickets, including the in-form Chamari Athapaththu for 25, inside the powerplay. However, the experienced duo of Kycia Knight and Courtney Webb steadied the ship, rebuilding the innings and setting the platform for a late assault. Their partnership laid the groundwork for the Royals’ chase, ensuring they remained within striking distance of the target.

The match took a dramatic turn in the latter stages. With the Royals seemingly cruising at 108/4 in the 17th over, the Warriors staged a spirited fightback, claiming three quick wickets for a mere two runs. The sudden collapse injected fresh tension into the contest, leaving the Royals needing 19 runs from the final 12 balls. The pressure mounted, and the momentum swung back in favor of the home team, raising hopes of a dramatic upset.

Aaliyah Alleyne emerged as the Royals’ hero, smashing seamer Molly Penfold for a six and a four, plundering 15 runs from the penultimate over and dramatically shifting the equation. This crucial intervention left the Warriors needing to defend just four runs in the final over, a daunting task against the experienced Royals batting line-up. Alleyne’s timely hitting not only released the pressure but also put the Royals firmly in the driver’s seat.

With the target within touching distance, Alleyne and Shreyanka Patil calmly navigated the final over, securing the victory with two balls to spare. Their composed 27-run partnership from just 14 balls sealed the title for the Royals, triggering jubilant celebrations among the players in pink and leaving the spirited Warriors heartbroken. The Royals’ victory was a testament to their depth, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. Chamari Athapaththu’s outstanding all-round performance throughout the tournament, accumulating the most runs and contributing seven wickets, earned her the well-deserved Player of the Series award. Ashmini Munisar and Laura Harris of the Guyana Amazon Warriors shared the Most Wickets award, each claiming eight wickets, a recognition of their individual brilliance despite their team falling short in the final.