Antiguan and Barbudan-born all-rounder Shawnisha Hector was the star for the Leeward Islands Stormers as they defeated regional giants Jamaica on Tuesday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown, St. Vincent. Hector smashed a game-high 56 off 55 balls, including six boundaries, to help her team reach 108 for 5 in their 20 allotted overs. She was well supported by her captain, and fellow islander Amanda Edwards, who scored 20 off 22 balls.
Chasing 109 for victory, the Jamaicans were under pressure from the first over, when Jahzara Claxton’s length delivery was driven in the air and caught by Aaliyah Weekes at extra cover. Claxton took her second wicket of the match in her next over, bowling a short delivery to Chrishana McKenzie. The ball forced McKenzie into an uncontrolled pull shot, and Claxton completed the catch off her own bowling.
Jamaican veterans Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation appeared to be in control, putting together a 48-run partnership. However, the stand was broken in the 13th over by Davronique Maynard, who caught Taylor off a deep mid-wicket boundary attempt. Maynard then claimed another wicket in the same over, making it a double-wicket maiden.
Called upon in the death overs, Hector took the wickets of Sherene Burnett and Vanessa Watts. In the final over, she was entrusted once again, this time to defend 14 runs. Hector executed the task with ease, conceding only five runs. She finished with figures of 2 for 15, including a maiden, and was deservedly named Player of the Match.
The Leewards will play their second game of the tournament on Thursday 15th January, when they face defending champions Guyana.