Women’s Twenty20 Blaze (CWI T20 Blaze)
Cricket in the Caribbean has always carried its own flair, and the Women’s Twenty20 Blaze has grown into one of its most vibrant showcases. Since its launch in 2012, the tournament has become a key stage for rising West Indies talent, offering fans high-tempo matches, breakout performers and plenty of moments that fuel interest in women’s T20 cricket across India and the wider cricket world.
Over the years, the Blaze has delivered memorable seasons, but the recently concluded 2026 edition added a fresh chapter to its story. Played from January 13th 2026 to January 23rd 2026 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown, the tournament saw Leeward Islands Women claim their first title, edging out Barbados Women by 6 runs via the DLS method in a tense final. This victory not only marked a historic moment for the Leewards but also signaled a shift in the competitive balance of the tournament.
For Indian fans following Caribbean cricket and exploring the T20 Blaze, the event continues to offer a mix of unpredictability and emerging stars. With each season shaping the next generation of West Indies cricketers, the Blaze remains a compact yet compelling tournament that keeps both casual viewers and serious cricket followers hooked.
Introduction
The Women's Twenty20 Blaze has become one of the most important pillars of Caribbean women's cricket, acting as a major T20 platform for regional talent under Cricket West Indies. Since its early editions in the 2010s, the tournament has offered a competitive space for players from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, shaping the pathway for many cricketers who later progressed to international cricket. Its round-robin structure keeps the focus on consistency, rewarding teams that adapt quickly to varying conditions across host territories. Over time, the Blaze has also mirrored the broader rise of women's sport in the Caribbean, where increased visibility and stronger domestic systems have helped elevate the standard of play.
The event’s format has remained relatively straightforward, with all participating teams competing in a single league table. This simplicity has allowed the Blaze to maintain a clear identity while still evolving with modern cricket demands. Broadcasting reach has grown steadily, giving fans across the region and beyond easier access to matches and highlights. The tournament has also played a subtle cultural role, celebrating Caribbean identity through its mix of regional rivalries, shared cricketing heritage and the pride associated with representing one’s territory. For many players, the Blaze is not just a competition but a stage that connects local cricket communities with the wider West Indies cricket ecosystem.
Across its history, the Blaze has produced memorable seasons where teams such as Jamaica and Barbados have enjoyed strong campaigns and set high standards in regional women's cricket. The competition's scheduling alongside other domestic women's cricket programmes has helped provide a structured pathway for players seeking regular high-level competition. The tournament remains an important part of the regional calendar, combining established rivalries with opportunities for emerging players to gain experience in Caribbean women's cricket.
Readers who prefer to explore the subject in another language can also read this article in Hindi (महिला ट्वेंटी20 ब्लेज़ हिंदी समीक्षा), where the same information is presented in Hindi for readers following Caribbean women's cricket.
Women’s Twenty20 Blaze or CWI T20 Blaze?
Fans might get confused when they see different names for the same Caribbean women’s tournament. Officially, Cricket West Indies launched it in 2018-2019 as the Women’s Twenty20 Blaze, the sister event to the long-running Super50 Cup. Over time, media outlets, scorecards, and even broadcasters started trimming it down to the Women’s T20 Blaze. And when CWI itself refers to it in press releases, it often appears as the CWI T20 Blaze - adding its own brand stamp to the title.
Therefore, there was no major “rebrand” moment, just different versions sliding into use. International coverage still prefers the full Women’s Twenty20 Blaze, while Caribbean cricket fans usually say T20 Blaze. The “CWI” tag is mostly for officialdom. Whichever name you come across, they all point to the same competition - the showcase women’s domestic T20 league of the West Indies.
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Current Season
The Women’s Twenty20 Blaze 2026 edition took place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 13 January 2026 to 23 January 2026, with all fixtures hosted at the historic Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown. This shift to past tense reflects the completed tournament, which once again showcased why Arnos Vale has become a central hub for women’s cricket in the Caribbean. The familiar conditions, steady winds, and balanced pitches shaped the rhythm of the competition, featuring six regional sides:
- Guyana Women (Defending Champions)
- Barbados Women
- Jamaica Women
- Trinidad and Tobago Women
- Leeward Islands Women (Winner)
- Windward Islands Women
The 2026 edition carried forward the momentum of women’s cricket in the Caribbean. Several players who had impressed in 2025 returned with strong performances, contributing to a tournament marked by tight finishes and low-margin games. The competitive balance remained a defining feature, culminating in a dramatic final where Leeward Islands Women claimed their maiden title, defeating Barbados Women by 6 runs via the DLS method. The match was interrupted by rain, and Barbados, chasing 112, were 79 for 5 after 16 overs, short of the DLS par score of 86.
The Leeward Islands’ unbeaten run throughout the tournament was one of the standout narratives, marking a significant shift in the hierarchy of Caribbean women’s cricket. Their victory also earned them the US$20,000 winner’s prize, while Barbados Women collected US$10,000 as runners-up.
The structure of the competition remained consistent with recent editions, using a round-robin format where each team faced every other side once. This format produced a steady flow of matches across the ten-day window and continued to offer useful context for following the Women’s Twenty20 Blaze, including strike-rate trends, powerplay efficiency, and wicket-taking patterns. The tournament once again followed the traditional six-point win model.
Hosting the entire tournament at Arnos Vale proved effective, simplifying logistics for teams and officials. The ground’s scenic setting and moderate-scoring surfaces created a balanced contest between seamers and spinners. Afternoon matches often produced slower pitches, a detail that Indian fans typically track when following match conditions and tactical trends. St. Vincent’s lively cricket culture added its own flavour, with rhythmic drums and enthusiastic crowds.
Matches were streamed through CWI’s YouTube channel (WINDIES) and FanCode, continuing the trend of free and accessible coverage for Indian viewers. This accessibility has helped the Blaze strengthen its following among fans who track Caribbean domestic cricket and follow the development of emerging players.
The tournament’s single-venue format allowed scouts and analysts to track player performance under consistent conditions. This consistency is useful for understanding how players adapt to familiar pitch conditions and match tempo throughout the competition. The Blaze’s compact schedule and competitive parity continue to make it a valuable reference point for those studying emerging Caribbean talent.
As the 2026 edition concluded, the Women’s Twenty20 Blaze reaffirmed its role as a key pillar of West Indies women’s cricket, offering both sporting drama and analytical depth for fans across India and beyond.
Looking Ahead, Cricket West Indies has not officially announced the dates or venue for the 2027 edition of the Women’s Twenty20 Blaze. Further details will depend on the board’s scheduling plans and will be confirmed when officially announced.
Ongoing September 2026 Events
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
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ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
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County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
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Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
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European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
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Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
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South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
Ongoing September 2026 Events
|
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
|
County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
|
European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
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Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
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South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
Previous Seasons
The Women's Twenty20 Blaze has a long and competitive history, with several teams competing for regional supremacy across its different editions. For anyone looking to appreciate how the competition has evolved, reviewing previous results provides useful context on the teams and players who have shaped the tournament.
Past Women's Twenty20 Blaze Editions
- 2026 Season
Leeward Islands Women claimed their first Women's Twenty20 Blaze championship after defeating Barbados Women by 6 runs under the DLS method in the final, concluding the tournament held from 13 January 2026 to 23 January 2026 at Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown. The round-robin structure produced a tight contest, with the Leewards finishing top of the table before sealing the title in a rain-affected decider. Barbados finished as runners-up, while the tournament underlined the growing competitiveness of women's cricket across the Caribbean.
- 2025 Season
In a dramatic finale decided by a super over, Guyana captured their first-ever Women's Twenty20 Blaze title, edging Jamaica after both sides finished tied on 122 runs in regulation play. Chinelle Henry of Jamaica was the leading run-scorer with 186 runs, while Steffie Soogrim, Sheneta Grimmond and Nyia Latchman each finished with 10 wickets.
- 2024 Season
In addition to maintaining their undefeated streak throughout the competition, Jamaica was able to continue their remarkable run and win their fourth championship. With 183 runs, Rashada Williams of Jamaica was the player who scored the most runs, while Plaffiana Millington of Guyana was the player who took the most wickets with 11.
- 2023 Season
As a result of their head-to-head record victory against Guyana in a competition that was very competitive, Barbados were able to earn their third championship. With 165 runs, Kycia Knight of Barbados was the player who reached the highest score, while Afy Fletcher of Windward Islands was the player who took the most wickets with 10.
- 2022 Season
Jamaica triumphed against Barbados in the championship match, so reclaiming the title. With 191 runs, Hayley Matthews of Barbados was the player who scored the most runs, while Shanika Bruce of Barbados was the player who took the most wickets with 9.
- 2020 & 2021 Seasons
The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus sadly resulted in the cancellation of these seasons.
- 2019 Season
After successfully defending their championship, Barbados once again finished in first place in the round-robin competition. Hayley Matthews, again from Barbados, once again topped the wicket-takers with 11 wickets, while Deandra Dottin, also from Barbados, was the player who scored the most runs with 222.
- 2018 Season
After a round-robin competition, Barbados emerged victorious and won the championship. The position of top wicket-taker was shared by Chedean Nation (Jamaica) and Vanessa Watts (Jamaica), with each taking nine wickets. Hayley Matthews (Barbados) was the player who scored the most runs, with 173.
- 2016 Season
The competition resumed after a break, and Trinidad and Tobago emerged victorious in their match versus Jamaica to claim the championship. With 182 runs, Shemaine Campbelle, who hails from Guyana, was the player who scored the most runs. Three players took the most wickets: Anisa Mohammed from Trinidad and Tobago, Erva Giddings from Guyana, and Shanel Daley from Jamaica. Each of these players took nine wickets.
- 2013 Season
Jamaica's supremacy continued, as they were able to win their second championship by defeating Barbados in the championship match. Stafanie Taylor once again led the standings for most runs scored with 170, while Kirbyina Alexander (Trinidad & Tobago) was the player who took the most wickets with 11.
- 2012 Season
With a victory against Trinidad and Tobago in the final match of the tournament, Jamaica emerged victorious for the first time. With an excellent total of 409 runs, Stafanie Taylor of Jamaica was the player who scored the most runs, while Shaquana Quintyne of Barbados was the player who took the most wickets, with 15.
Throughout the history of the Women's Twenty20 Blaze, Jamaica remain the most successful team with four championships, followed closely by Barbados with three titles. Trinidad and Tobago have secured one championship, while Guyana claimed their first-ever title in the 2025 edition, marking a significant milestone for the team.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result | Event / Final Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Robin Only | ||||
| 2026 | Leeward Islands | Barbados | Leeward Islands won the league with 43 points | Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) |
| 2025 | Guyana | Jamaica | Guyana won the league with 33 points | Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) |
| 2024 | Jamaica | Guyana | Jamaica won the league with 20 points | Warner Park Sporting Complex, Basseterre (Saint Kitts) |
| 2023 | Barbados | Guyana | Barbados won the league with 16 points | Saint Kitts |
| 2022 | Jamaica | Barbados | Jamaica won the league with 16 points | Providence Stadium, Providence (Guyana) |
| 2019 | Barbados | Jamaica | Barbados won the league with 15 points | Providence Stadium, Providence (Guyana) |
| 2018 | Barbados | Jamaica | Barbados won the league with 12 points | Jamaica |
| Round Robin + Knockout | ||||
| 2016 | Trinidad and Tobago | Jamaica | Trinidad and Tobago won by 2 wickets | Providence Stadium, Providence (Guyana) |
| 2013 | Jamaica | Barbados | Jamaica won by 6 wickets | Queen's Park, St. George's (Grenada) |
| 2012 | Jamaica | Trinidad and Tobago | Jamaica won by 16 runs | Sabina Park, Kingston (Jamaica) |
* 2020 & 2021 seasons did not take place due to COVID-19
History and Structure
The tournament was first launched in 2012 and was initially known as the "West Indies Cricket Board Regional Women's Twenty20 Championship." Six regional teams participated in the inaugural competition, with Jamaica emerging as the first champions. Their captain, Stafanie Taylor, was among the standout players of the tournament.
There was an adjustment to the format in 2013, with the participating teams split into two groups before progressing to the knockout stage. Jamaica came out victorious once again, strengthening their early position in the competition. The tournament was then not staged in 2014 and 2015 before returning in 2016.
When it returned in 2016, the tournament featured six teams, with the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands representing their wider regional groupings rather than individual member territories. The teams were divided into two groups of three, with the group winners progressing to the final. Trinidad & Tobago claimed the title in this edition.
During the 2018 season, the competition underwent another important transformation as it moved to a full round-robin format. All six teams competed against each other, with the team finishing top of the table crowned champion. This structure continued as the competition became known as the Twenty20 Blaze, giving the tournament a more established identity within the regional women's cricket calendar.
The event was not staged in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a significant interruption to the development of the competition. It subsequently returned as an important part of the women's cricket calendar in the West Indies. The most recent editions have continued to use a league-based structure, reflecting the competition's established role in providing regular T20 cricket for players from across the Caribbean.
Final Thoughts
The Women's Twenty20 Blaze stands as a defining chapter in the story of Caribbean women's cricket, bringing together regional teams in a competition that highlights both individuality and collective identity. Across its various editions, the tournament has helped shape a generation of cricketers who learned to thrive in fast-paced T20 environments while carrying the pride of their territories. Its league-based format, consistent scheduling and strong emphasis on regional representation have created a structure that feels both familiar and aspirational, allowing fans to follow clear narratives of growth, rivalry and resilience.
What makes the Blaze particularly meaningful is the way it reflects the broader evolution of women's cricket in the West Indies. As investment, visibility and professional pathways have expanded, the tournament has become a central stage for emerging talent and a proving ground for experienced players. It has also strengthened the cultural fabric of Caribbean cricket, where sport often intersects with community identity, local pride and shared heritage. The Blaze continues to serve as a reminder that domestic competitions can play a crucial role in shaping international success, especially when they nurture depth and continuity. In essence, the Blaze is more than a list of champions or memorable seasons. It is a long-running project that keeps regional cricket connected, competitive and forward-looking.
Did You Know
