West Indies Women thrash Aussies to win WT20

KOLKATA: West Indies Women converted their maiden appearance in a World Twenty20 final into a historic victory, beating three-time defending champions Australia for the first time in a T20 international by pulling off the second highest chase in the tournament’s history,  here on Sunday.

The heroes of the daunting pursuit were 18-year old Hayley Matthews (66) and the captain Stafanie Taylor (59), whose half-centuries and 120-partnership came at more than a run a ball.

Their effort left West Indies with two runs to get off four balls, and when Britney Cooper pushed to Megan Schutt at midwicket and sprinted, what should have been a run-out at the bowler’s end resulted in the overthrow that sealed the title. 

Half-centuries from Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning helped Australia post an imposing 148 for 5. However, Matthews and Taylor clinically brought the chase into the realms of possibility.

From the 10-over mark, there was an air of inevitability to the chase as Matthews attacked the bowling. She laid into Jess Jonassen, who had conceded only 12 off her first three overs.

The West Indies bowlers had also come under severe pressure under the wheel of Villani and Lanning, who made 52 apiece in a dominating batting display.

Having blasted 54 in the first six overs, Australia were on their way to an imposing total.

Once the head start was achieved, both batsmen negated Anisa Mohammed’s spin threat by milking the bowling.

Australia brought up 100 in the 14th over. West Indies fought back to concede just 36 off the last five overs.

Score Board

Australia Women won toss

Australia Women

†A J Healy c & b Matthews   4

E J Villani c Taylor b Dottin   52

*M M Lanning lbw b Mohammed      52

E A Perry lbw b Dottin         28

A J Blackwell not out 3

E A Osborne run out  0

J L Jonassen not out  0

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 3)         9

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs)  148

Did not bat: B L Mooney, M L Schutt, R M Farrell, K M Beams

Fall: 1-15, 2-92, 3-134, 4-147, 5-147

Bowling: Connell 2-0-15-0 (1w); Matthews 2-0-13-1; Taylor 3-0-26-0; Dottin 4-0-33-2 (1w); Fletcher 1-0-9-0; Mohammed 4-0-19-1; Quintyne 4-0-27-0 (1w)

West Indies Women

H K Matthews c Blackwell b Beams  66

*S R Taylor c Jonassen b Farrell     59

D J S Dottin not out   18

B Cooper not out      3

Extras (lb 2, w 1)     3

Total (2 wickets; 19.3 overs)         149

Did not bat: S A C A King, †M R Aguilleira, S A Campbelle, S L Quintyne, A Mohammed, A S S Fletcher, S S Connell

Fall: 1-120, 2-144

Bowling: Jonassen 4-0-26-0; Perry 3.3-0-27-0; Schutt 3-0-26-0 (1w); Farrell 4-0-35-1; Beams 4-0-27-1; Osborne 1-0-6-0

Result: West Indies Women won by 8 wickets

Series: West Indies Women won the 2015/16 Women’s World T20

Player of the Match: H K Matthews (West Indies Women)

Player of the Series: S R Taylor (West Indies Women)

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and R K Illingworth (England). TV umpire: N J Llong (England). Match referee: A J Pycroft (Zimbabwe)