A massive upset was in show for fans at the start of the Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand on Friday (March 4), as the hosts lost to West Indies in a cliffhanger by just 3 runs. The game played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui saw the Calypso Kings run toe to toe with their more fancied opponents and eventually overhauled them.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl, New Zealand saw West Indies compile a good score of 259/9 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks largely to a fantastic hundred from opening batter Hayley Matthews. Matthews struck a brilliant 119 off 128 deliveries against a quality attack and almost singlehandedly ensured her team crossed the 250-mark.
The next highest score for the innings was 36 from Chedean Nation. Even as the rest got starts but failed to properly capitalise, Matthews made sure she held her ground and led her team’s fight.
Something similar happened in the run-chase, where captain Sophie Devine almost played the lone-ranger for New Zealand. The experienced batter made 108 off 127 deliveries to take the White Ferns close in their chase of 260.
Regular wickets at the other end, however, held the hosts back and kept West Indies in the hunt. Eventually, Devine also fell with runs still left to get. Wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin (44) and lower-order bat Jess Kerr (25) fought hard towards the end but ultimately, New Zealand were dismissed three runs short.
Star performer with the bat, Matthews also came to party with the ball, delivering a critical spell of 2/41 off his 10 overs. Anisa Mohammed (2/60) also took two wickets in her quota. But what tilted the scales firmly in favour of West Indies was how Deandra Dottin (2/2) bowled her only over for the day.
Defending six runs off the last over with New Zealand still having three wickets left, Dottin bagged two wickets herself before a run-out of No.11 Fran Jonas finished off the proceedings.
Brief scores
West Indies Women 259/9 in 50 overs (Hayley Matthews 119; Lea Tahuhu 3/57, Jess Kerr 2/43) beat New Zealand Women 256/10 in 49.5 overs (Sophie Devine 108; Deandra Dottin 2/2, Hayley Matthews 2/41) by 3 runs
