MUMBAI, India, CMC – Steady bowling followed by solid batting, led by Stacy-Ann King and Merissa Aguilleira, propelled West Indies Women to a five-wicket victory over the BCCI President’s XI in their opening match of their tour of India yesterday.
King struck half-dozen boundaries in the top score of 52 from 79 balls, and Aguilleira supported with eight fours in 42 from 64 balls, as the Windies Women, chasing 184 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, reached their target with 48 balls to spare at the Bandra Kurla Complex.
Stafanie Taylor, one of two Windies Women awarded an A-Grade central retainer contract by the West Indies Cricket Board recently, was the most successful Windies Women’s bowler with her uncomplicated off-spin. She captured three wickets for 38 runs from 10 overs, as the President’s XI, choosing to bat, were restricted to 183 for nine in their 50 overs.
The Windies Women stumbled after a positive start, when Juliana Nero was caught behind off Shikha Pandey for 10 in the fourth over.
The visitors wobbled to 45 for three in the 13th over, after Stafanie Taylor was also caught behind for 21 in the 11th over off Subha Laxmi, who also trapped Shemaine Campbelle lbw for six. King joined Aguilleira, two of six Windies Women given central retainer contracts, came together, and put on 103 for the fourth wicket to put their side on track for victory.
King and Aguilleira were dismissed within seven deliveries of each other to leave the Windies Women still needing 33 from the last 87 deliveries.
Deandra Dottin, the other player awarded an A-Grade contract, ensured there were few or no hiccups the rest of the way, as she scored 28 from 20 balls.
Earlier, Shakira Selman gave Windies Women an early breakthrough, when she bowled Neha Tanwar for a four-ball duck in the third over. But Tramayne Smartt gave the visitors early control, when she removed opener Poonam Raut lbw for 22, and Veda Krishnamurthy for nine.
Windies Women were stonewalled however, when President’s XI captain Diana David joined Harmanpreet Kaur, and they added 80 for the fourth wicket.
Anisa Mohammed, another of the Windies Women holding a retainer contract, triggered a collapse, when she removed David for 28, and the President’s XI stumbled to 134 for six.
The visitors again met resistance, when Pandey and Snehal Pradhan added 42 for the seventh wicket before Taylor mopped-up the tail.
The match was the only fixture for the Windies Women before the opening One-day International of five against India Women from tomorrow.
