West Indies moved to the second spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup Super Six with its third win in four games defeating New Zealand by 48 runs with a fine display of teamwork. West Indies now has six points, two points behind topper Australia.
Number 10 Anisa Mohammed (31 off 32 balls) startled the Kiwis with her batting to take the West Indies total beyond the 200-mark.
Loop and turn
The off-spinner came back to frustrate the Kiwis with loop and turn. New Zealand’s spirited attempt fell short as it was bowled out for 159 in 44.3 overs.
The Kiwis slipped to fourth place with four points.
Anisa was named Player-of-the-match for her all-round show. Stafanie Taylor lived up to expectations as she made 49 and then chipped in with two for 26 in 10 overs of controlled off-breaks to leave the Kiwis in a tangle.
Early blows
Fast bowler Tremayne Smartt struck early blows, removing the three top-order batters, in West Indies’ defence of 207 with able support from captain Merissa Aguilleira behind the wickets.
New Zealand’s fight-back attempts were thwarted by spin from both ends as Anisa and Stafanie dared the batters to take up the challenge.
Stafanie targeted the off-stump while Anisa teased with flight from the other end.
Nicola Brown took a swing and Stafanie celebrated as her leg-before appeal was upheld.
It was Anisa’s turn next to squeal in delight as captain and opener Suzie Bates (30 off 44 balls) charged out to a flighted delivery and the bowler scooped up a low return catch.
Rachel Priest kept her team in the hunt with some bold hitting, driving through the line and placing into gaps to top-score with 36 off 65 balls before being run out.
She lay sprawled near the wicket after failing to beat Shermaine Campbell’s return from point to the wicketkeeper.
Delight
The West Indies captain leapt in delight after whipping off the bails, the TV screen confirmed her judgement and by then, the maroon brigade had converged around her to celebrate a hard-earned win.
The scores: West Indies 207 for nine in 50 overs (Stafanie Taylor 49, Shanel Daley 37, Deandra Dottin 27, Anisa Mohammed 31, Morna Nielsen three for 27) bt New Zealand 159 in 44.3 overs (Suzie Bates 30, Rachel Priest 36, Tremayne Smartt three for 39).
