The West Indies celebrated their first-ever Women’s World Cup victory over England as the defending champions lost a seven-run thriller at the University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday.
West Indies rode an all-around show from Hayley Matthews and defended a total of 225 runs for their second consecutive win at the Premier tournament. The England women are in trouble after losing two games straight away at the 2022 Women’s World Cup.
The West Indies women, who batted first, managed a mediocre 225 for 6 in 50 overs despite an impressive opening 81 between veterans Deandra Dottin (31 from 64) and Hayley Matthews (45 from 58) after deciding to beat in their second division game.
In response, England nearly prevailed for the ninth wicket thanks to a 61-run stand between Sophie Ecclestone (33 nos) and Kate Cross (27) before being all-out for 218 in 47.4 overs.
The West Indies have now won both games and sit second in the points table, while England sit sixth out of eight teams with back-to-back defeats, including the opening round match against Australia.
It was a steady start for the Caribbean women as Dottin and Matthews made the first 20 overs safely before falling after collapsing to 81-3 from 81 without a loss and then 98-4 just after half-time (26.1 overs).
However, keeper-batters Shemaine Campbell (66 from 80) and Chedan Nation (49 from 74) added 123 runs for the fifth wicket to put the team at a safe, if not great, total.
Ecclestone and Cross stand in vain
When England batted, their innings never had the momentum as at one point they were 72 for four and then 156 for 8 by the end of the 36th over before Ecclestone and Cross almost carried them home with their highly effective partnership.
It came down to the last three overs and it looked like the duo would get the job done as England needed just nine runs to win and still had two wickets in hand.
But Cross was carried off at the end of the non-striker when he set back too far and Anya Shrubsole was bowled three balls later by spinner Anisa Mohammed (2/24) to spark a jubilant cheer for the triumphant West Indies side.
Pacer Shamilia Connell (3/38) was the most successful Windies bowler among the eight used by skipper Stephanie Taylor.
Short Scores, West Indies vs. England
West Indies: 225/6 in 50 overs (Shemaine Campbell 66, Chedan Nation 49, Sophie Ecclestone 3/20) beat England 218 in 47.4 overs (Sophie Ecclestone 33 No, Anisa Mohammed 2/24, Shamilia Connell 3/38). 7 runs.
