Stafanie Taylor navigated a huge scare at the hands of Scotland as West Indies scrapped their way to a second win of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Taylor, playing her first match of the tournament, injected much-needed impetus to the West Indies’ innings with a boundary-laden 47 not out off just 19 deliveries striking at 247.36 after West Indies had slumped to 85 for 5 in the 15th over of the match.

A spirited half-century by just-turned 21-year-old opener Darcey Carter while battling a leg injury took Scotland close to victory in the face of a nervy performance with the ball and in the field from West Indies. She shared half-century partnerships with Latherine Fraser and Ailsa Lister, but Hayley Matthews’ 3 for 19 in four overs, which included 13 dot balls, gave her side just enough hope to hold onto and Aaliyah Alleyne’s  three wickets in the 19th over stifled Scotland just as they threatened to take the match away once more.

Fraser had been outstanding for Scotland with 2 for 34, a spectacular catch on the boundary’s edge to remove opener Qiana Joseph and the sharp run-out of Shemaine Campbelle, West Indies’ star in their nail-biting victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

West Indies became bogged down by a disciplined Scotland bowling attack complemented by excellent fielding all round. But, led by Taylor, they scored 69 runs in the last six overs to set Scotland a sizeable target – one the qualifiers came far closer to reaching than their opponents would have liked.

Taylor came in with her side floundering and in desperate need of someone to give their innings a belated jump start. Jahzara Claxon struck West Indies’ first six on the last ball of the 17th over, heaving a short one down the leg side from Kathryn Bryce over cow corner as she and Taylor looked to accelerate. But Bryce, stationed in the same spot in the field four balls later, claimed a straightforward catch to remove Claxton and give Fraser her second wicket.

Taylor picked off boundaries down the ground and over the covers then launched twin sixes back over the bowler’s head and over deep extra cover before a third, 83m maximum over deep midwicket to give West Indies’ bowlers plenty to defend.

Scotland were sharp in the field from the outset and their bowlers kept a lid on West Indies’ openers Matthews and Joseph, who managed just 13 runs in the first three overs. Rachel Slater was particularly frugal, conceding only a wide from her opening over. An out-of-sorts Matthews produced a premeditated release shot over midwicket for four off Gabriella Fontenla, who was making the ball swing nicely. But it was Joseph’s attempt to properly break the shackles which proved her undoing and demonstrated just how up for the contest Scotland were.

Fraser offered a contender for catch of the tournament so far when Joseph muscled a Slater delivery to deep midwicket. Fraser leapt to pluck the ball from the air just inside the boundary then showed wonderful spatial awareness to avoid touching the sponge with her elbow by mere centimetres as she landed. By the end of the powerplay, West Indies were 33 for 1 and Matthews had scored 12 off 17. She managed just two more before backing away to a quicker delivery from Fraser and losing her middle stump as Scotland celebrated a spectacular start.

Sarah Bryce dropped a tough chance behind the stumps off Campbelle, on 28 when she walked past a Fraser delivery which deflected off the keeper’s gloves and ran through fine leg to the boundary. She made no mistake as sister Kathryn, who had frustrated West Indies with her superb lengths, lobbed one up outside off as Deandra Dottin advanced and turned to see her bails whipped off.

West Indies had only found the boundary seven times up to that point, at the end of the 13th over, so they were scampering singles wherever they could get them. There was to be no reprise of Campelle’s previous innings when she was run-out by Fraser on the next ball and then Kirstie Gordon pinned Chinelle Henry lbw to plunge West Indies further into danger.

Scotland began the run chase at a far more impressive clip than their opponents, Carter reeling off four boundaries in the first three overs and Fraser again in the action with 13 runs off six deliveries. Carter appeared to hurt her leg while trying to work a Matthews delivery down the leg side and she received a life on 19 when Joseph dropped what should have been a sitter for Campbelle high behind the stumps. Running between the wickets became increasingly laboured for Carter but she refused to give up and she raised her ninth half-century in T20Is off 53 balls.

After five overs, Scotland were 51 without loss, but then Matthews made the crucial strike, beating Fraser on the sweep with a faster ball that kept low. That sparked a collapse of four wickets for seven runs in the space of two overs. Matthews removed Kathryn for a second-ball duck, miscuing to mid-off and claimed her third when she trapped Megan McColl lbw attempting a reverse sweep.

Three balls earlier, McColl had been dropped by Campbelle, running from behind the stumps almost to midwicket and, shortly after McColl was dismissed, Campbelle left the field, apparently feeling unwell, to be replaced by substitute wicketkeeper Mandy Mangru. Carter and Lister stuck at their task, however, in the face of some wayward bowling and clumsy fielding as the tension started to show on West Indies. Dottin, playing her 150th T20I, sent down three wides in a row to start the 18th over then, after two fours in three balls to Carter, she broke down in tears. Her team-mates rallied round her and she managed to concede just one more run.

With Scotland needing 22 runs off the last two overs, Alleyne finally ended Carter’s knock with a return catch off a top edge then removed Lister and Gordon with consecutive balls. While West Indies continued to struggle with their ground fielding, they scraped home as Joseph removed Slater and Fontenla in the space of three balls right at the end.

SCORES:
West Indies Women  153 for 6 in 20 overs (Qiana Joseph 13, Hayley Matthews 14, Shermaine Campbelle 36, Deandra Dottin 14, Jahzara Claxton 16, Stafanie Taylor 47*; Kathryn Bryce 1-30, Rachel Slater 1-23, Katherine  Fraser 2-34, Kirstie Gordon 1-36) beat Scotland Women 146 in 20 overs (Darcey Carter 59, Katheryne Fraser 20, Ailsa Lister 33; Aaliah Alleyne 3-11, Hayley Matthews 3-19, Afy Fletcher 2-16, Qiana Joseph 1-29) by seven runs

[Cricinfo]

The Vision Care 111st Colombo Tennis Championships 2026 will begin today at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) clay courts in Colombo with a record number of entries and the biggest prize fund in the tournament’s history worth Rs. 3 million, officials announced at a press conference.

‎The prestigious three-week championship, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most respected ‘A’ Grade tournaments, is expected to bring together the country’s leading players while providing a major stage for emerging talent from across the island.

‎SLTA Playing Section President Sriya Munasinghe said the tournament continues to play a key role in developing local tennis and helping young players progress to higher levels.

‎”This is one of the oldest ‘A’ Grade tournaments in Sri Lanka. We are honoured to host it once again on our six clay courts, especially with a record number of entries this year,” Munasinghe said.

‎He said the championship offers valuable opportunities for players from all regions, including Ampara and Matara, and helps identify future stars of Sri Lankan tennis.

‎SLTA Playing Section Captain Prashanth Dissanayake said the governing body aims to raise the standard of the competition through greater investment and long-term development plans.

‎”Last year we offered Rs. 2.5 million in prize money, and this year the prize fund has increased significantly. We believe greater investment will raise the standard of competition and strengthen Sri Lankan tennis,” Dissanayake said.

‎He revealed plans to eventually transform the event into a major South Asian tournament under the name “Colombo Open”.

‎”We dream of this becoming the Colombo Open, attracting the best players from South Asia. This is not only about tennis but also about building a sporting identity for Sri Lanka,” he said.

‎The tournament will feature Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Junior Singles and Doubles from Under-12 to Under-18 age groups, as well as several Senior events for players over 35 years.

‎Vision Care will continue as the title sponsor for the 12th successive year, highlighting its long-standing commitment to Sri Lankan tennis.

‎Vision Care Optical Services Managing Director Janaka Fonseka said the company was proud to continue supporting the championship and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport.

‎”We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are proud to continue supporting the Colombo Championships,” Fonseka said.

‎Wilson will be the Official Ball Partner.

With Sri Lankan javelin sensation Rumesh Tharanga continuing to make headlines through his record-breaking performances on the international stage, his success is already inspiring the next generation of throwers at home.

‎At the Junior National Athletics Championship, Lyceum International School, Wattala athlete Themiya Thabrew took a significant step towards emulating his illustrious compatriot by achieving the qualifying standard for the World Junior Athletics Championships.

‎Competing in the Under-20 boys’ javelin throw, Thabrew produced a meet record throw of 69.85 metres, surpassing the World Junior Championship qualifying standard of 68.50 metres for the championship to be held in Oregon, USA.

‎Thabrew’s achievement comes at a time when Sri Lankan athletics is enjoying unprecedented success in the javelin throw, spearheaded by Tharanga’s remarkable rise on the world stage. The youngster’s performance highlighted the positive influence of having a world-class athlete setting new benchmarks for the sport in Sri Lanka.

‎As Tharanga continues to rewrite the record books internationally, athletes such as Thabrew are demonstrating that the future of Sri Lankan javelin throwing remains bright.

‎Incidentally, Tharanga earned his first major global recognition when he finished seventh at the World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia, in 2022 with a throw of 69.98 metres, which established a new national junior record. Thabrew’s mark of 69.85 metres at the Junior National Championship has brought him within touching distance of that record.

‎In 2022, Tharanga and several other Sri Lankan athletes faced severe financial constraints before eventually making the journey to Cali. As Thabrew and other athletes who have achieved qualifying standards prepare for future international assignments, it is hoped they will receive the recognition and support necessary to represent the country on the world stage.

by Reemus Fernando