The West Indies overwhelmed hosts New Zealand in the opening game of the Women’s World Cup, earning a dramatic win in a stunning final at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. New Zealand needed just 6 runs from the last over and lost up to 3 wickets in the final over, including that of well-placed Katey Martin (44) and Jess Ker (25), to fall short of the 260 x 4 run target.
Deandra Dottin was the star of the game for the West Indies with the ball as he snatched up Martin and Kerr’s wickets before passing Hannah Rowe with the penultimate ball to leave New Zealand 256 all out.
It was Hayley Matthews who set up victory for the West Indies with a game-winning hundred. The all-rounder, who moved up the batting order in place of Rashada Williams, brought the game to New Zealand from the start, hitting 16 fours and a booming six in her 128-ball 119.
An exciting victory for West Indies in the #CWC22 Kick-off against New Zealand
https://t.co/aHgI2uedf7 pic.twitter.com/WyHLfC2tN8
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2022
The 23-year-old Barbadian returned to take her off-spin 2-41, throwing back the New Zealanders in their attempt to start their campaign with a win at home.
SOPHIE DEVINE HUNDRED SURROUNDED
The West Indies’ sloppy field earned Sophie Devine at least two lives and the New Zealand captain capitalized on the advantage with a fighting 108 that kept the hosts at bay with a touch of victory.
Seamerin Chinelle Henry finally ousted the home captain from her own bowling with a brilliantly juggled catch to score a dramatic Final Five under the lights of the Bay Oval.
“I thought we were right up until the last time,” Devine said.
“You don’t get much more grip than a bowler who comes by in the 50th and does what Dottin did. So full credit to them but we need to move on quickly.”
ONE OF MY BEST STROKES: MATTHEWS
Matthews said coach Courtney Walsh called her Thursday and told her she would be opening in place of Williams, who was ruled out of the game due to concussion protocols.
“Just pretty lucky I was able to get a few runs up,” Matthews said. “Definitely my best result, definitely up there with one of the best innings.”
The tournament, postponed by 12 months due to the global health crisis, fields all eight teams in an opening round robin, with the top four advancing to the semifinals.
Australia, believed to be favorites for a seventh title, open their campaign against holders England in Hamilton on Saturday.
SHORT RESULT: West Indies 259/9 in 50 overs (Matthews 119; Tahuhu 3/57) beat New Zealand 256-all-out (Devine 108; Dotin (2/1) with 3 runs).
