WCPL 2024 [WATCH]: Chamari Athapaththu picks her maiden wicket by taking out Sheneta Grimmond’s middle stump

On Monday (August 26), the Barbados Royals continued their dominant run in the Women’s CPL 2024 by securing a 17-run victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors. This win ensured the Royals finished the league stage atop the table, boasting six points and a net run rate of +0.645 from their three matches. The Royals’ performance throughout the league has demonstrated their consistency and strength, setting them up favorably for the knockout stages.

Barbados Royal batting struggles

Batting first, the Royals struggled to build a substantial total, managing only 101/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Laura Harris emerged as the standout performer for the Royals with a brisk 14 off eight balls. In contrast, the rest of the batting lineup found it challenging to get going against a disciplined bowling attack from the Warriors. Erin Burns was particularly effective for the Warriors, finishing with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 31 runs, highlighting her crucial role in restricting the Royals to a modest total.

Guyana Amazon Warriors’ run chase falters

In their run chase, the Warriors faltered significantly, ending their innings at 84/9. The chase was marred by a series of wickets and effective bowling from the Royals. Qiana Joseph delivered a standout performance, claiming 3 wickets for just 16 runs in her four overs, playing a key role in dismantling the Warriors’ batting lineup. The Royals’ captain, Hayley Matthews, also made a significant impact, taking 4 wickets for just 14 runs, further solidifying the Royals’ dominance in the match.

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Chamari Athapaththu’s maiden wicket

A notable highlight of the match came with Chamari Athapaththu’s maiden WCPL wicket. Known for her explosive batting, Athapaththu showcased her bowling skills in the 2nd over of the Guyana chase. Bowling from around the wicket, she delivered a full ball that Sheneta Grimmond attempted to hit over the leg side but missed. The ball crashed into the middle stumps with significant force, marking Athapaththu’s first wicket in the tournament. This crucial breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the innings and was met with jubilation from the Royals’ team.

Here’s the video:

Athapaththu takes her maiden wicket and sends Harris back to the dug out. 🏏 #WCPL24 #GAWvBR #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #MassyStores pic.twitter.com/4Bn4PlPWVk

— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 27, 2024

Final matchups in the WCPL 2024

With this victory, the Royals are positioned to advance to the final of the Women’s CPL 2024. The outcome of the last league match will determine who will face the Royals in the final on Thursday (August 29). The Royals’ strong performance throughout the league stage has set high expectations for their campaign, as they look to continue their winning ways in the final showdown.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.