Déjà Vu

The Barbados Royals entered their third game of the 2023 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) season with the opportunity to book a place in the finale with a win. However, with Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine opening the batting for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, it was more of the same from the tournament opener, where the pair imposed their will on the Royals bowlers, especially the seamers, at the top of the innings.

And despite Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne and Jannillea Glasgow all finding swing, the trio were collectively too wide in their lines to the right-handed duo for their away movement to be of any effect. For the same reason, Devine and Bates helped the Warriors to 51 without loss at the end of the powerplay.

However, continuing with the similarity in themes from the last time the teams met, it would be the Royals’ wrist-spinners who would peg the openers back. Amanda-Jade Wellington and Afy Fletcher allowed a mere 22 runs in the 24 deliveries that followed the powerplay. This was before Wellington turned Bates 30 (26) around with a big legbreak which took the top of her off-stump, immediately following the drinks interval.