A century by New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine went in vain as the West Indies Women registered a victory in the first game of their World Cup campaign on Friday. An epic last over by Deandra Dottin defending 5 runs – but conceding only 2 while picking up 2 wickets – ensured the West Indies would triumph over New Zealand Women in what turned out to be a nail-biter of a game.
West Indies lost the toss and were sent in to bat. In-form Deandra Dottin started aggressively blasting 3 fours, but New Zealand picked up 2 quick wickets to put West Indies on the back foot early. Enter captain Stafanie Taylor who joined the experienced Hayley Matthews at the crease for the familiar rebuild. The pair slowly began the repair work and posted a 50-run partnership with Matthews getting to her maiden World Cup half-century. The pair laboured along but Taylor would soon fall for 30 tickling one down the leg side through to the wicket-keeper off Lea Tahuhu.
West Indies wicket-keeper Shemaine Campbelle came to the crease and batted well putting on another 50 plus partnership for the Maroon Warriors in which Matthews dominated with a flurry of fours. Campbelle eventually departed for 20. Chedean Nation then came to the crease and put on a 55-run partnership, with Matthews getting to her maiden ODI World Cup century in 118 balls despite experiencing some soreness in her hamstring early in the innings. Matthews put her foot on the gas looking to score quick runs continuing to display an array of astounding shots but fell to spinner Kerr in the 45th over for 119 hitting 16 fours and 1 six. The West Indies lost quick wickets at the back end attempting to push the score higher but a vital cameo in the last over from vice-captain Anisa Mohammed ensured the WI would post a competitive 259/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Lea Tahuhu was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 3 for 57.
Devine and Suzie Bates started off the White Ferns’ run chase, but Bates was the first to go run out via a deflection by bowler Chinelle Henry off a Devine straight drive in the fourth over. New Zealand would lose Amelia Kerr shortly after but a half-century stand between Devine and Amy Satterthwaite threatened to put the West Indies out of the game earlier than they’d like. It took the experience of Mohammed to get the breakthrough, trapping Satterthwaite LBW for 31 to claim her 300th international wicket – the first West Indian bowler to do so and the fourth overall in women’s cricket. She is also the first spinner to reach the milestone in women’s cricket. Mohammed also accounted for the wicket of Tahuhu in the next over to give the West Indies a whiff of victory.
However, Devine ensured her team stayed in the game as she benefitted from a few reprieves during the night. She eventually powered her way to her 6th ODI century but was unable to see the game home as Henry held on to a sharp caught and bowled chance to dismiss her for 108. With 45 runs needed from 35 balls when she departed, lower-order batters Katey Martin (44) and Jess Kerr (25) resisted the attack and excellent captaincy by Stafanie Taylor, slapping a few boundaries to reduce the equation to 6 runs needed from 6 balls for victory.
Shakera Selman looked set to bowl the final over, but suddenly Deandra Dottin was seen measuring her run up to bowl with ball in hand after not having bowled a single over in the match and within the past year. The gamble would pay off for the skipper as Dottin, as she so often does for the team in tight situations, delivered the goods conceding 1 run in her first ball, getting the wicket of set batter Martin in the second, another single in the third and the wicket of Kerr in the fourth ball of the over. Needing 4 runs off 2 balls, 17-year-old Fran Jonas was run out trying to steal a single with the new striker at the crease, Hannah Rowe, caught ball watching. Alert wicket-keeper Campbelle collected the ball and rocketed it back to Dottin who held her nerve and effected the run out. The West Indies erupted in joy as they recorded only their second ODI win against New Zealand and their first win in seven games played on New Zealand soil.
After the match, captain Taylor stressed on the importance of focusing on themselves rather than the reputation of other teams. She expressed her delight with the bowling effort and commented on the last over stating, “Deandra said ‘give me the ball’. I said you and the coach can discuss later what happens. I’ll give you the ball.” Luckily, the result may not require much long explanations.
The West Indies face England next on Tuesday 8th March at 6:00 pm local time.
Photo credit: Cricket West Indies
West Indies Women 259/9
Hayley Matthews 119 (128)
Chedean Nation 36 (46)
Stafanie Taylor 30 (47)
Lea Tahuhu 3-57 (9 overs)
Jess Kerr 2-43 (10 overs)
New Zealand Women 256 all out
Sophie Devine 108 (127)
Katey Martin 44 (47)
Amy Satterthwaite 31 (56)
Deandra Dottin 2-2 (0.5 overs)
Hayley Matthews 2-41 (10 overs)
Anisa Mohammed 2-60 (10 overs)
Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews.
Great win. One game at s time. Hope all their training and preparation pays off. Stay hungry and focused.