Cricket

In a thrilling Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) final, Barbados Royals emerged victorious over Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) by four wickets, securing their second WCPL title.TKR, batting first, got off to a promising start with Deandra Dottin hitting a six in the opening over. However, Hayley Matthews' early wicket of Dottin set the tone for a challenging innings for TKR. Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed cheaply, and Jannillea Glasgow and Shikha Pandey's 43-run partnership was broken by Aaliyah Alleyne's double-wicket over.Alleyne's devastating spell continued, as she dismissed Chedean Nation and Zaida James in quick succession, leaving TKR reeling at 73 for 6. Alleyne's four-wicket haul, with three of her victims bowled, played a pivotal role in restricting TKR to a modest 93 for 8.Chasing 94, Barbados Royals started aggressively with Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge. She struck three consecutive fours in the fourth over and another three in the sixth over, putting Royals in a commanding position.However, Samara Ramnath's dismissal of Matthews and Qiana Joseph's wicket off Connell's athletic catch brought TKR back into the game. Despite losing three wickets in quick succession, Athapaththu remained resolute and guided Royals to victory in the 15th over.Athapaththu's unbeaten 39 and Alleyne's four-wicket haul were instrumental in Barbados Royals' triumph. Hayley Matthews, with 11 wickets and the second-most runs in WCPL 2024, was named Player of the Tournament.

Jhulan Goswami, the legendary Indian fast bowler, has joined Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) as a mentor for the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024. This marks Goswami's first overseas T20 league stint and a significant addition to the TKR Women's team.Goswami, who retired from international cricket in 2022 as India's leading wicket-taker, expressed her honor at joining TKR. She praised the franchise's success and reputation, stating, "Knight Riders have done so well in India and around the world, and to join TKR Women at the WCPL is a pleasure."TKR, led by former West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, has assembled a formidable roster for WCPL 2024. The team includes Indian stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey, as well as Australian stalwarts Meg Lanning and Jess Jonassen.Goswami's appointment as mentor is expected to provide invaluable guidance and support to the young players in the TKR Women's team. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having played at the highest level for over two decades."The conversation about me joining TKR started with Mr. Venky Mysore [CEO of Knight Riders group]," Goswami revealed. "As a management head, the way he takes care of everyone is amazing. I felt really honored by the way both Shah Rukh Khan and Venky sir welcomed me and spoke to me when we met in Kolkata during the IPL."TKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed his delight at Goswami's signing, saying, "Jhulan Goswami is an absolute legend of the game, and we are very happy to have her on board as the mentor of the TKR Women's team. We strongly believe that under Jhulan's mentorship, the team will reach greater heights."WCPL 2024 will take place from August 21 to 29 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. The tournament will feature three teams - TKR, defending champions Barbados Royals, and Guyana Amazon Warriors - competing in seven matches.

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.