Defending champions Jamaica endured a disappointing 54-run defeat to Barbados in their third round match in the Regional Women’s Super 50 Cricket Tournament, which was played at the Conaree Sports Club in St. Kitts.

After being set a challenging target of 200, the Jamaican women saw their chase unravel in dramatic fashion, as they were dismissed for 144.

The collapse came after a promising start, with Jamaica at 112 for 3, only to lose their last seven wickets for just 32 runs. The downfall was largely due to the brilliant bowling performances from Keila Elliott and Shamilia Connell, who combined to dismantle Jamaica’s middle order. Elliott finished with figures of 4 for 27, while Connell claimed 3 for 24.

Jamaica’s captain, Rashada Williams, was the standout batter for her side, anchoring the innings with 48 runs. She found support in Stafanie Taylor, who made a valuable 31 runs on her return to the starting line-up, as the pair shared a 61-run partnership for the third wicket. However, once they were dismissed, the lower order crumbled under pressure.

Chedean Nation (19 from 23 deliveries) was the only other Jamaican batter to make it into double figures. The rest of the batting line-up struggled, with Chrishana McKenzie, Jodian Morgan 1, Abigail Bryce 2, Neisha-Ann Waisome 3, Corinne Howell 8, Vanessa Watts 2, and Celina Whyte 0, all failing to make significant contributions. McKenzie was run out while on 4, compounding Jamaica’s woes.

Elliott and Connell’s exceptional bowling efforts were complemented by Erin Deane (1 for 34) and Theanny Herbert-Mayers (1 for 19), as the Barbados attack proved too much for the Jamaican women.

Earlier, Barbados had won the toss and opted to bat, posting a total of 199 for 6 from their allotted overs. Asabi Callender was the star for Barbados, blasting 7 boundaries on her way to a team-high score of 54. She was ably supported by Kyshona Knight, who remained unbeaten on 48, and Naijanni Cumberbatch, who added a valuable 39 runs. Vanessa Watts was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 32 runs.

Friday’s loss marked Jamaica’s second consecutive defeat in the tournament, and the result has pushed them further down the standings. With their hopes of defending their title now in jeopardy, the team will need to regroup quickly as they look ahead to their next match against the Leeward Islands on March 3 at Warner Park.

In other matches, Trinidad and Tobago handed the Windward Islands a heavy defeat, winning by 9 wickets at the St. Paul’s Sports Complex. The Windwards, batting first, were bowled out for just 70 runs. In response, T&T cruised to 71 for 1, with Djenaba Joseph (35 not out) and Shunelle Sawh (26) guiding them to an easy win. T&T’s bowlers, Samara Ramnath (5 for 13) and Karishma Ramharack (3 for 9), were outstanding, sharing 8 wickets between them to decimate the Windward Islands.

At Warner Park, Guyana also enjoyed a dominant performance, posting 178 all out before bowling out the Leeward Islands for just 56 runs in 24.1 overs. Shemaine Campbell led the way with an unbeaten 77, while Ashmini Munisar (4 for 12), Cherry-Ann Fraser (3 for 18), and Plaffiana Millington (3 for 25) delivered superb bowling performances to seal the victory.

Looking ahead to Round 4, unbeaten Barbados will face Trinidad and Tobago at St. Paul’s, while Guyana will take on the Windward Islands at Conaree.