The Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2025 got underway with a thriller as the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women edged past the Trinbago Knight Riders Women by just 6 runs in the opening clash. Both sides fought hard, but the Warriors held their nerve in the final overs to kickstart their campaign on a winning note.
Batting first, the Warriors had a shaky start with Amy Hunter (3) departing cheaply. However, the innings found stability through a crucial 70-run partnership between Realeanna Grimmond and the experienced Stafanie Taylor. Grimmond looked compact for her 33 runs, rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Taylor, the backbone of the innings, played with poise and authority, crafting a valuable 45 off 37 balls, including timely boundaries to frustrate the Knight Riders. The partnership gave the Warriors the momentum, but they couldn’t fully capitalise as the middle order faltered. Captain Shemaine Campbelle managed only 5 runs, and the lower order fell for single digits.
It was once again the experienced duo of Chedean Nation (21* off 15) and Laura Harris (14 off 12) who ensured the team crossed the 120-mark. Their late-innings contribution proved decisive as Guyana closed their innings at 129/7 in 20 overs.
Trinbago’s bowling attack had its moments, with Jess Jonassen leading from the front, returning figures of 2/18. The support cast chipped in as Samara Ramnath (1/19), Jahzara Claxton (1/24), and Shikha Pandey (1/29) kept the pressure on with timely breakthroughs.
Chasing 130, the Knight Riders got off to a promising start, thanks to Lizelle Lee’s fluent 36(32) at the top. But wickets at regular intervals kept derailing their chase. Opener Rashada Williams fell early for just 1 run, putting Trinbago on the back foot.
A 40-run stand between Lee and Jonassen (22 off 27) reignited hopes, but neither could convert their starts into a match-winning knock. Captain Deandra Dottin (14) threatened to cut loose but perished at the wrong time, while Jahzara Claxton (15) played a brief cameo.
Unfortunately, the rest of the lower order could not contribute much, with single-digit scores dominating the card. The lack of partnerships proved costly as the Knight Riders were bowled out for 123 in 20 overs, falling agonizingly short by 6 runs.
The Warriors’ bowlers held their nerve under pressure. Ashmini Munisar was the star, delivering a game-changing spell of 3/21, breaking the backbone of Trinbago’s batting. Laura Harris complemented her brilliantly with 3/25, dismantling the middle and lower order. Their combined effort ensured Guyana defended what seemed a below-par total.
