In a high-octane encounter at the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Deandra Dottin’s brilliance under pressure powered the Trinbago Knight Riders to a sensational Super Over victory against the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The win at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy was a lifeline for the Knight Riders, who secured their first points of the tournament, keeping their hopes alive.
Both teams battled fiercely, each posting 128 runs in their allotted 20 overs, leading to a nail-biting finish. Dottin, who showcased her trademark power-hitting, was instrumental in setting up the game for the Knight Riders with a top score of 53 runs from 38 balls. Her innings at the top of the order provided a solid foundation, although the middle overs saw a slight wobble. However, crucial contributions from Shikha Pandey (25) and Kycia Knight (16) helped steady the ship, allowing the Knight Riders to post a competitive total.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors, led by the consistent Erin Burns, appeared to have the chase well in hand. Burns, who notched her second consecutive half-century, was ably supported by Shemaine Campbelle. With just 19 runs needed off the final three overs, the Warriors seemed destined for victory. However, a dramatic turn of events saw both Burns and Chloe Tryon run out in quick succession, forcing the match into a Super Over.
Shabnim Ismail, who had earlier impressed with figures of 2/24, was entrusted with the ball for the Warriors in the Super Over. But it was Dottin who once again rose to the occasion. She hammered two massive sixes off Ismail’s first three deliveries, the second of which saw her drop to her knees as she sent the ball soaring over the leg-side boundary. Jemimah Rodrigues then added to the tally with a classy cover drive for four off the final delivery, propelling the Knight Riders to a formidable 19 runs in the Super Over.
The Warriors’ response quickly unravelled. Jess Jonassen, who had been economical throughout the match, was given the responsibility of defending the Super Over total for the Knight Riders. Disaster struck for the Warriors on the very first ball when Chloe Tryon was run out for the second time in quick succession. Burns, the linchpin of the Warriors’ chase, followed soon after, mistiming a shot straight to Dottin at cover. With the pressure mounting, Campbelle and Natasha McLean could do little to rescue the situation, and the Warriors fell short of the target.
Dottin’s all-round heroics, both with the bat and in the field, ensured that the Trinbago Knight Riders emerged victorious in a must-win game. The result means the Knight Riders remain in contention in the WCPL, with their confidence bolstered by the manner in which they handled the pressure of defending a total twice in one evening.
As the tournament progresses, the Knight Riders will look to build on this momentum, while the Warriors will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks. The WCPL continues to deliver thrilling cricket, with the next match promising more excitement as the teams vie for supremacy in the Caribbean’s premier women’s T20 competition.
