VADODARA, India, CMC – West Indies snatched a surprise 2-1 lead in their five-match One-Day International series against India when they beat the World’s third-ranked side by three wickets here yesterday.
Prolific teenaged opener Stafanie Taylor stroked 46 as West Indies, chasing 157 for victory, reached 159 for seven with four balls to spare at the Reliance Stadium.
Earlier, off-spinners Anisa Mohammed (2-20) and Taylor (2-21) and left-arm pacer Shanel Daley (2-22), all took two wickets apiece as they once again restricted the hosts to a modest total.
Tail-ender Amita Sharma cracked a cameo 35 to top score for the Indians who had earlier gotten an ultra patient 33 from opener Poonam Raut.
The 19-year-old Taylor, who failed in the last match when West Indies lost by 10 runs, took matters into her own hands with a measured innings to ensure the visitors got off to a good start. She hit seven fours off 72 balls and posted 45 for the first wicket with Juliana Nero whose 22 was a breezy knock off 31 balls, decorated with five fours.
Nero’s departure triggered a slide that saw Windies struggle to 74 for three at the end of the 22nd over but Stacey-Ann King (20) and captain Merissa Aguilleira (17) added 24 for the fourth wicket to deny India further immediate success.
Both batters fell in the space of 13 balls, paving the way for an important 27-run, sixth wicket stand between Deandra Dottin (12) and Daley (13) which steered the Windies to within sight of victory.
When both departed in the space of four balls with the score on 142 in the 43rd over, India were in with a sniff but Shemaine Campbelle kept her wits to hammer two fours in an unbeaten 12 and steer the Windies home in the final over.
Leg-spinner Priyanka Roy (2-27) and off-spinner Diana David (2-33) finished with two wickets apiece.
West Indies can wrap up the series with a win in the fourth ODI scheduled for Tuesday in Rajkot.
