West Indies go under to New Zealand in Women’s T20 series

West Indies suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the three- match women’s Twenty/20 series, which ended last Saturday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Fittingly, with the series leveled 1-1, it took the super over route to determine the eventual winner.{{more}}

The visitors, needing a mere six runs to win in the super over, obliged with eight runs without loss from four balls, after the West Indies could only muster 5 for 2 from their six balls.

In the main segment of the match, New Zealand chose to bat after winning the toss, and managed 111 for 4 from their maximum 20 overs. Katie Perkins 31 not out, Sophie Devine 30 and Rachel Priest 29, were the main scorers.

The West Indies recovered from 21 for 3, to scrape to 111 for 8, also from 20 overs.

Much of the regional side’s response rested in the hands of Deandra Dottin, who smashed 54, which included three fours and the same number of sixes. Dottin shared in a fourth wicket stand of 36 with Shermaine Campbell, who contributed 13.

But the West Indies women lost wickets with regularity.

Dottin perished in the last over, but Anisa Mohammed squeezed two runs off the last ball to level the scores and set up the one-over eliminator.

The West Indies’ batting was stifled by the bowling of Amy Satterthwaite, who snared 4 for 24 and Hayley Jensen 3 for 16.

Saturday’s match became decisive, following the West Indies’ win by five wickets on Thursday.

Dottin’s 40 not out, saw the West Indies reach 102 for 3, with 17 balls to spare. She and Shermaine – 29 not out, shared in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 58, to see the West Indies over the line, after the visitors had scored 101 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs.

Eventual player of the series. Dottin also starred with the ball, taking 3 for 9 from her four overs, with one maiden.

Rachel Priest – 31 and Suzie Bates – 29, were the main scorers for the Kiwis.

New Zealand took match one, which was played on Tuesday, by seven wickets.

West Indies batted first and were restricted to 92 for 6 from their 20 overs.

They were stymied by the bowling of Rachel Neilsen – 3 for 11 and Sophie Devine – 2 for 12.

Rachel Priest then struck 41 not out and Devine- 24, to see their team to 95 for 3 in 17.5 overs.

The T20 series win by the New Zealanders ended on a good note for them, having been blanked 4-0 in the one-dayers, which were contested in St Kitts.(RT)