CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC):
TRINIDAD AND Tobago defeated Jamaica by 30 runs in a solid start to their defence of the West Indies Women's Cricket League Championship on Saturday afternoon.
West Indies fast bowler Kirbyina Alexander captured four wickets and propelled T&T to their victory, while Barbados and St. Lucia also came up with wins on opening day.
Electing to bat at the Philip Marcellin Ground in Vieux Fort, Trinidad and Tobago gathered 161 for nine off 44 overs in the rain-reduced fixture.
Stacy-Ann King top-scored with 33, while Devika Singh (26), Anisa Mohammed (19), Nelly Williams (18) and Marissa Aguillera (18) also made useful contributions.
Sandra Clarke was the chief wicket-taker for ex-champions Jamaica, claiming three for 25, backed up by Patrice Cuffe (2-30) and Petagay Hanson (2-34).
Jamaica got a fighting 44 from Nikisha Francis but fell short in their response at 131 all out in 40.4 overs.
Alexander's four-wicket haul was well supported by Gaitri Seetehal (2-17) and Felicia Cummings (2-25).
Led by top regional allrounder Pamela Lavine, improving Barbados registered the most handsome win of the day, whipping St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) by 114 runs at Mindoo Phillip Park.
Sent to bat, the Barbadians piled up 203 for eight off 50 overs and then ripped out SVG for 89 in 36 overs.
Lavine lashed nine boundaries in scoring 78, while Danielle Small (39) and Michelle Ellis (31) also got solid scores for Barbados, against Rochelle John (2-33), Melissa Bellingy (2-36), and Clea Hoyte (2-39).
When SVG batted, Beverly Glasgow top-scored with 21, as their batting crumbled against Lavine (3-11), Charlene Taitt (2-9), and Kyshona Knight (2-15).
Former champions St. Lucia registered a 33-run victory over Grenada in their opener at Beausejour.
Sent to bat in the rain-reduced game, St. Lucia posted 180 for eight off their 45 overs and restricted Grenada's reply to 147 for eight off 45.
West Indies batter Nadine George hit 38 for the St. Lucians, who also got useful scores from sisters Hermina Vitae (31) and Laurina Vitae (23).
Bernadette Mahon (2-18) and Marilyn Nelson (2-33) shared four wickets for the Grenadians, whose run chase was led by Althea Fletcher (39 not out).
Pamela Alfred picked up three for 24 to be chief wicket-taker for the St. Lucians, backed up by Royline Cooper (2-20) and Verina Felicien (2-21).
