WCPL: Jemimah Rodrigues steers TKR to final with unbeaten 59
Jemimah Rodrigues emerged as the match-winner for Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), steering her team to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Barbados Royals. The high-stakes match was held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad. Rodrigues's unbeaten knock of 59 runs off just 50 balls, played a crucial role in securing the Knight Riders' spot in the final.
Rodrigues's calm under pressure secures victory for Knight Riders
The Knight Riders faced a challenging target of 131 runs, and were struggling at 43/3 when Rodrigues stepped up to the crease. With six runs needed in the final over, she displayed remarkable composure by hitting a boundary off Hayley Matthews on the third delivery. She took a single on the next ball. This ensured that their title dreams remained alive.
Knight Riders capitalize on Royals's fielding errors
The match also served as a preview for the final, with both teams set to face each other again. The Royals' fielding was less than stellar, allowing the Knight Riders to recover from a shaky start. A crucial moment came when Djenaba Joseph dropped Rodrigues at short fine leg when she was on 43, an error that proved costly for the Royals.
Knight Riders's bowling attack shines against Royals
Despite previous struggles in the tournament, the Knight Riders's bowling attack shone against the Royals. They dominated during the Powerplay, dismantling the Royals's top-order. Shikha Pandey made an impressive start by dismissing Matthews early on with a late-moving full delivery. Shamilia Connell also had a standout performance on her debut for Knight Riders, taking two crucial wickets.
Royals recovery falls short despite Athapaththu's efforts
For the Royals, opener Chamari Athapaththu led a recovery effort with a resilient 70 off 63 balls, but it wasn't enough to secure victory. The team had already secured the final berth after winning their first three matches of the tournament. However, this defeat against Knight Riders means they will have to regroup and strategize for the upcoming final showdown.
