Cricket

Guyana Amazon Warriors Bolster Squad with Chloe Tryon and Erin Burns for WCPL 2024Ahead of the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Guyana Amazon Warriors have made significant additions to their squad by signing South African allrounder Chloe Tryon and Australian allrounder Erin Burns.Tryon, a seasoned campaigner with 98 T20I appearances for South Africa, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Amazon Warriors. She has amassed 1136 runs and claimed 35 wickets in the shortest format of the game. Currently touring India with the South African national team, Tryon is known for her power-hitting and ability to contribute with the ball.Burns, on the other hand, has played 162 T20 matches, including 117 in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes. She has accumulated 2429 runs and taken 80 wickets in T20 cricket. Burns was part of the Barbados Royals team that emerged victorious in the 2023 WCPL.The Amazon Warriors, who reached the final of the tournament last season under the leadership of Stafanie Taylor, have retained the services of several key players. Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, and Shakera Selman will continue to form the core of the team.With the addition of Tryon and Burns, the Amazon Warriors have strengthened their batting and bowling departments. They still need to fill seven more spots in their 15-member squad. Six of these players will be selected through the WCPL draft scheduled for July, while the remaining overseas pick will be announced before the start of the season.The 2024 WCPL will take place in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven matches being played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The tournament, now in its third season, will feature Trinbago Knight Riders, Amazon Warriors, and Royals as the participating teams.

The Blaze, led by a superb bowling performance from Australian allrounder Erin Burns, defended a modest total of 136 to secure a four-run victory over Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.Burns, in her first season with Diamonds, showcased her class with a career-best 5 for 25, including two wickets in the powerplay and two with her final two deliveries. Legspinner Katie Levick also impressed with 3 for 22.Despite Burns' heroics, Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce top-scored for The Blaze with 31, while England Under-19 captain Josie Groves remained unbeaten on 24. Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon led the charge in the field, claiming 3 for 20.The Blaze emerged from their batting powerplay at 38 for 2, but a middle-order collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 24 runs. Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Ella Claridge, and Nadine de Klerk all fell in quick succession, leaving The Blaze reeling at 84 for 6.Groves and Michaela Kirk briefly revived the innings with a 36-run partnership, but Kirk's dismissal sparked another collapse as Gordon and Burns wrapped up the innings.Diamonds began their chase steadily, reaching 39 for 1 in the opening six overs. However, Gordon's left-arm spin proved too much for Hollie Armitage, who was trapped leg before wicket.Lauren Winfield-Hill and Kathryn Bryce kept Diamonds in the hunt, but a costly over from Groves and two wickets in an over from Bryce swung the momentum in The Blaze's favor.Winfield-Hill was bowled by Bryce, while Burns ran out Beth Heath. Stere Kallis and Emma Marlow were also dismissed, leaving Diamonds needing an unlikely 19 from the final over.Despite Katherine Fraser's six over wide midwicket, Diamonds fell five runs short, handing The Blaze their second win from two in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.