Bates, Green star as Tridents clinch last-gasp thriller

Barbados Tridents clinched a last-ball thriller to get their first points in WCPL 2026 and all but knock first-timers Jamaica Empress out of the playoffs race. Qiana Joseph bowled a boundary-less last over when Empress needed nine to win, with six wickets in hand, helping Tridents defend their total of 140 and go third on the points table. They now face second-placed Guyana Amazon Warriors in the last game of the league stage.

The result of this game will determine the final qualification standings, with Trinbago Knight Riders already assured of a top-three finish. Tridents could still slip to fourth behind Empress if they lose to Amazon Warriors, but it will need to be a heavy defeat, with Tridents (-0.450) enjoy a significant NRR advantage over Empress (-1.153).

Empress were well on their way in their chase, with Meg Lanning scoring a 46-ball 57 and putting on 104 for the first wicket with Amy Hunter. Empress needed 37 from 43 balls, with all their wickets intact, when the tables turned. Hunter fell for 47, Suzie Bates took the wicket of Rashada Williams in her final over, and the boundaries dried up. Lanning fell in the 18th, and that over ended with Empress needing 14 off 12.

But Cherry-Ann Fraser conceded just five runs in the 19th - despite bowling two wides - before Joseph gave away just five singles in the last over, including off the last ball when Empress needed five to win.

Tridents didn't get off to a great start after opting to bat. Openers Joseph (14) and Hayley Matthews (21) scored at under run a ball and the Indian pair of Kiran Navgire and Harleen Deol (on WCPL debut) couldn't get into double figures, leaving Empress 56 for 4 in the 10th over. The New Zealand pair of Suzie Bates and Maddy Green then stitched a solid stand of 78 runs in 10 overs to lift Tridents past 130. Green fell for 39 and Bates was leff unbeaten on 39, watching three wickets fall in four balls at the other end in a 12-run final over from Stafanie Taylor.