Nation’s late assault gives Amazon Warriors maiden WCPL title

Guyana Amazon Warriors claimed their first Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League title on Thursday after Chedean Nation produced a remarkable late recovery against the Trinbago Knight Riders at Kensington Oval. The Warriors won by two wickets, reaching 149 for 8 with three balls still available.

The result was reported by Caribbean National Weekly, which described a final that appeared to be moving decisively toward Trinbago before Nation changed its direction. Guyana had fallen to 71 for 6 in the 13th over and still needed 74 runs from 46 deliveries to overhaul Trinbago’s total of 145 for 6.

Nation, a 39-year-old Jamaican batting at No. 8, had made only her second appearance of the season. She had not previously been used with the bat during her limited involvement in the campaign, but her opportunity arrived when the Warriors’ top order struggled against an effective Knight Riders attack. She responded with an unbeaten 39 from 21 balls, including four sixes.

Nation turns the final

The equation was difficult when Nation arrived, but she attacked immediately rather than trying simply to survive. Captain Chloe Tryon joined her at the crease, and together they removed much of the pressure by scoring 40 runs in 23 balls.

Tryon made 32 before Laura Harris dismissed her in the 17th over. Her departure gave Trinbago renewed hope, yet Nation continued to control the chase. The Warriors were eight wickets down after Sheneta Grimmond fell for 10 in the 19th over, leaving them 16 runs short with nine deliveries remaining.

Nation then took on seamer Shikha Pandey and off-spinner Karishma Ramharack. She maintained her composure as the target came within reach, guiding the pursuit through its most demanding stage. The winning total arrived at 149 for 8, prompting celebrations among the Guyana players and their supporters.

Her innings was especially significant because it came from a player who had not been given a previous chance to contribute with the bat in the tournament. With the championship apparently slipping away, Nation supplied the decisive intervention and completed one of the competition’s most dramatic recoveries.

Trinbago builds a competitive total

Trinbago captain Deandra Dottin won the toss and chose to bat on a sunny afternoon in Barbados. Debutant Sushma Verma provided the early stability, making 39 and helping the Knight Riders establish a platform through the top and middle order.

Verma’s effort was followed by late acceleration from Marizanne Kapp and Pandey. Kapp scored 25, while Pandey added 27, taking Trinbago to 145 for 6 from its allotted overs. The total was substantial enough to put pressure on Guyana, particularly given the strength of the Knight Riders’ bowling attack.

Shabnim Ismail led the Warriors’ wicket-taking effort with two dismissals. Shamilia Connell also played an important role, finishing with 1 for 18 from four overs. Even so, Trinbago’s total gave its bowlers a strong chance of defending the final.

That expectation strengthened during the early part of Guyana’s reply. Tazmin Brits, who had entered the match in good form, scored 22, while Shemaine Campbelle made nine. Both were among the first five Warriors wickets to fall, leaving the chase badly damaged before the halfway point.

Dottin led an aggressive bowling performance, with Ramharack and Pandey taking two wickets apiece. Their work reduced Guyana to 71 for 6 and appeared to have placed Trinbago in command.

A long-awaited championship

Nation’s innings ended a difficult run of final appearances for the Amazon Warriors. Guyana had previously reached the WCPL final in 2023 and again in 2025, but neither campaign produced the trophy.

This time, the team’s prospects looked bleak when six wickets had fallen and the required rate was climbing. Nation and Tryon’s partnership revived the chase, and Nation then carried it through the final overs after Tryon and Grimmond were dismissed.

The championship therefore represents both a first title for the Warriors and the culmination of repeated attempts to finish the tournament as winners. Trinbago had built a defendable score and repeatedly weakened Guyana’s batting, but Nation’s late assault overturned the match. Her unbeaten contribution transformed 71 for 6 into 149 for 8 and delivered Guyana its maiden WCPL crown.