Leewards 111 for 6 (Hector 58, Boyce 26, Alleyne 2-14) beat Barbados 79 for 5 (Brathwaite 26, Alleyne 16*, Liburd 2-12) by 6 runs (DLS)
The Leeward Islands claimed their first title in regional women’s cricket on Friday, defeating Barbados by 6 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the 2026 Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze final at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
A half-century from all-rounder Shawnisha Hector and what proved to be a vital spell early in the chase from spinner Rozel Liburd helped secure the win for the Leewards in the rain-affected contest.
The teams entered the game needing to conquer different demons to be crowned champions. The Leeward Islands were confronting history, having never won. Meanwhile, three-time champions Barbados needed to defeat an unbeaten team, the only one they had lost to this season.
The Leewards began the contest in the manner they had played throughout the competition: aggressively, with Hector swatting Naijanni Cumberbatch through square for four off the first ball. Hector tried a flat-bat down the ground three deliveries later, presenting an opportunity for a catch to the bowler, which the off-spinner fumbled on the reverse cup before finishing the over with another boundary.
At the other end, veteran seamer Shamilia Connell (2/1
employed a wide line from over the wicket to go across the left-handed Qiana Joseph. A few plays and misses forced Joseph into an adjustment. But the 25-year-old stepping across the stumps only resulted in her immediate demise, playing on for five to leave the Windwards 22 for 1 in the fourth over.