The final of the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League will take place tomorrow (August 29), between Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders. Here's Wisden's pick for who will win the trophy, and the best odds for the team with the top batter and bowler.
The WCPL has produced some high quality competition this year, with several globally renowned stars involved. Over the eight days of competition, there have been several matches which have come down to the wire, including a super over between Trinbago and Guyana Amazon Warriors. However, the competition is about to reach its crux point at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
WCPL 2024: Who will win the final?
Barbados Royals are gunning for their second consecutive title and have the star power to do it. West Indies captain Hayley Mathews has formed a productive opening partnership with her Sri Lanka counterpart Chamari Athapaththu, who scored 70 in Barbados last match. They also boast Australian star Amanda-Jade Wellington in their line-up, as well as West Indies internationals Aaliyah Alleyne and Rashada Williams.
Trinbago are also packed with star power, with Jemimah Rodrigues in their top order alongside Jess Jonassen. The two sides met in their final group game, and fought down to the wire, Trinbago winning with two balls and four wickets to spare. Rodrigues played an anchoring innings to see the side over the line as the rest of the batting lineup fell around her. While the match might be too close to call, Stake has Barbados Royals as favourites at a 1.7 return on every pound betted. However, with Trinbago victorious in the group clash between the sides and a return of 2.1 offered by Stake, they might be where the smart money is put.
WCPL final 2024: Which team will have the top batter?
The two batting line-ups are equally set with power. Trinbago have had the services of recently un-retired from international cricket star, Deandra Dottin. In the match which went to a super over against Guyana, Dottin was awarded Player of the Match after she scored 53 off 38 balls and whacked two sixes in the super over. However, with Matthews and Athapaththu in the Royals' side, they also have huge potential. Again, with a return of 2.00 for every pound betted on Stake, if Dottin comes off the smart money would have been put on Trinbago.
WCPL final 2024: Which team will have the top bowler?
The bowling attacks are where the sides become easier to call. Trinbago have the services off Jess Jonassen, Shikha Pandey and Shamilia Connell, but Barbados boast Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne and Amanda-Jade Wellington - each of whom have four wickets in the competition so far. The Royals should be set for their bowlers, with a return of 1.75 offered on every pound betted on Stake.
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