Bates, Green Star as Tridents Seal Last-Ball Thriller Against Jamaica Empress

Barbados Tridents secured their first points of WCPL 2026 with a dramatic last-ball victory over Jamaica Empress, significantly damaging the first-time participants’ hopes of reaching the playoffs.

Defending a modest total of 140, Tridents held their nerve in a tense finish after Qiana Joseph delivered a superb final over. Empress needed nine runs from the last six balls with six wickets in hand, but Joseph conceded only five singles and no boundaries to secure a crucial victory.

The result moved Tridents up to third in the points table, while Jamaica Empress are now on the brink of elimination. Barbados will face second-placed Guyana Amazon Warriors in their final league-stage match.

Playoff Race Goes Down to the Wire

The final qualification standings will be decided by the result of Tridents' match against Amazon Warriors. Trinbago Knight Riders have already secured a top-three finish.

Barbados could still drop to fourth behind Jamaica Empress if they suffer a heavy defeat against Guyana. However, Tridents currently hold a significant advantage in net run rate, sitting at -0.450 compared with Empress’ -1.153.

That advantage means Empress will need a substantial result elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Lanning and Hunter Put Empress in Control

Jamaica Empress appeared firmly in command during their chase of 141.

Captain Meg Lanning produced an outstanding 46-ball 57 and combined with Amy Hunter for a dominant opening partnership worth 104 runs.

With Empress needing only 37 runs from 43 deliveries and all 10 wickets still available, victory appeared almost certain.

But the game changed dramatically after Hunter was dismissed for 47. Suzie Bates then removed Rashada Williams in her final over, while the Tridents' bowlers successfully dried up the flow of boundaries.

Lanning eventually fell in the 18th over, leaving Empress needing 14 runs from the final two overs.

Cherry-Ann Fraser then delivered an excellent 19th over, conceding only five runs despite bowling two wides.

Joseph completed the job in the final over, allowing just five singles. Even off the final delivery, when Empress required five runs to win, she conceded only a single to seal the Tridents’ victory.

Bates and Green Rescue Tridents

Earlier, Barbados struggled after choosing to bat first.

Openers Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews scored 14 and 21 respectively, both at less than a run a ball. The Indian duo of Kiran Navgire and Harleen Deol, making her WCPL debut, also failed to reach double figures.

Their struggles left Tridents in trouble at 56 for 4 after 10 overs.

New Zealand veterans Suzie Bates and Maddy Green then steadied the innings with a crucial 78-run partnership from 10 overs.

Green scored a valuable 39 before falling, while Bates remained unbeaten on 39 to carry Barbados beyond the 130-run mark.

The Tridents endured another late wobble when three wickets fell in four deliveries during a 12-run final over from Stafanie Taylor. Despite the collapse, Barbados finished on 140, a total that ultimately proved just enough.

The dramatic victory gives Tridents renewed hope of reaching the WCPL playoffs, while Jamaica Empress now face an uphill battle to keep their campaign alive.