Bermudian all-rounder Katherine Bean-Rosario and her Leeward Islands teammates maintained their perfect start to the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze with a gritty seven-run victory over defending champions Guyana at the Arnos Vale Ground.
In a clash between two sides who had secured opening-day wins, the Leeward Islands showed remarkable resilience to defend a modest total. Guyana won the toss and elected to field, a decision that appeared vindicated as they restricted the Leewards to 106 for 9 from their 20 overs.
The backbone of the Leeward Islands’ innings was a superb half-century from Reniece Boyce, who struck 51 to anchor the side. Boyce shared a crucial 49-run third-wicket partnership with captain Amanda Edwards, who contributed a valuable 31. However, the Guyana bowling attack, led by the clinical Ashmini Munisar, kept the pressure high throughout. Munisar finished with impressive figures of 4 for 15, while Plaffiana Millington claimed 3 for 11. Bean-Rosario was the final wicket to fall, bowled for a duck by Millington off the last ball of the innings.
The Leeward Islands’ defense was characterized by intense pressure in the field. Guyana struggled to find their rhythm in response and were eventually bowled out for 99, falling just seven runs short of the target. Mandy Mangru was the lone standout for Guyana with 24, as the Leeward Islands’ bowlers tightened their grip.
Captain Amanda Edwards led from the front with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 18 to cap off a brilliant individual performance. Bean-Rosario played a vital role in the field, claiming a sharp catch and providing the assist for a clinical run-out from deep in the outfield. The result leaves the Leeward Islands at the summit of the table heading into their next clash against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.
