CAYON, St Kitts, CMC – Opener Stafanie Taylor slammed an exciting half-century as West Indies women rebounded from their one-day loss on Tuesday to convincingly dispatch Sri Lanka by six wickets, in the opening Twenty20 International of their three-match warm-up series yesterday.
The 18-year-old right-hander cracked an even 50 from 49 with six fours and a six to propel West Indies to 106 for four with nine balls remaining, in response to Sri Lanka’s 103 for nine off their allotted 20 overs.
Taylor, who made 36 in a losing cause on Tuesday, dominated a 46-run, second wicket stand with Cordel Jack which laid the foundation for the successful run chase at St Mary’s Park.
Opener Pamela Lavine laboured 17 balls over seven before falling in the seventh over, paving the way for Taylor and Jack to take charge.
The 28-year-old Jack hit 23 from 28 balls with three fours before giving a return catch to medium pacer Eshani Lokusooriya.
Deandra Dottin, in for her first match, got 14 from 17 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking over but lost Taylor via the run out route with West Indies in sight of victory at 90 for three.
She went 10 runs later, bowled by off-spinner Shashikala Siriwardene but by then the hosts had all but sealed the encounter. Earlier, left-arm medium pacer Shanel Daley grabbed three for 14 to help restrict Sri Lanka to their eventual score.
Taylor, bowling her off-breaks, started the rout when she bowled Chamari Attapattu for one with the score on seven and she then helped to run out Dedunu DaSilva for 12, to leave the visitors on 31 for two.
Daley struck two incisive blows, removing Sajeewani Galagedara (15) and Shashikala Siriwardene (7) in a slide which saw six wickets tumble for 27 runs as Sri Lanka tottered at 58 for seven.
The Asian side then needed a run-a-ball 20 from Deepika Rasangika to get past the 100-run mark.
