Windies beat New Zealand to throw tournament wide open

Mumbai, Feb 11 (IANS) The West Indies beat New Zealand by 48 runs in their Super Six match Monday at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) to keep their chances of qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup final alive.

Batting first, the West Indies finished with 207 for nine in 50 overs before dismissing New Zealand for 159.

The West Indies’ win, their second of the Super Six stage, also ensured that they will join Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup final Feb 17 if they beat Australia in their final Super Six match here Wednesday.

However, if the West Indies lose, then they will come down to net run rate between them and the winner of the match between New Zealand and defending champion England.

The West Indies face Australia at the MIG Ground Feb 13 while New Zealand play England in a day-night fixture at the Cricket Club of India on the same day.

After being put into bat first by New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates, the West Indies lost opener Natasha McLean early – leg-before wicket to Sian Ruck.

Coming in at number three, Stafanie Taylor was at her belligerent best and stroked seven boundaries in her 53-ball 49 which made her the highest scorer of the event – briefly. Later in the day, Bates gained that honour in New Zealand’s innings.

Despite Taylor’s heroics, she found little support from the other end and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Deandra Dottin tried to take the attack to the New Zealand bowlers as she hammered a 21-ball 27 with four fours and a six. However, when she was sixth out the West Indies had managed only 117 in the 27th over.

The West Indies slipped further to 159 for eight in the 44th over but Shanel Daley contributed 37 off 64 balls and Anisa Mohammed swung merrily to finish with an unbeaten 31 off 32 balls. The pair added 45 for the ninth wicket in just over six overs wickets to give West Indies a respectable total.

The West Indies opening bowler Tremayne Smartt used her in-swingers to good effect to snare three top-order New Zealand wickets. Katie Perkins and Bates tried to consolidate before Perkins was run out by a brilliant throw from Dottin and when Taylor snared Nicola Browne leg before and Mohammed out-foxed Bates for a caught and bowled in the next over, New Zealand were in serious trouble at 83 for six.

Rachel Priest (36) tried to hold the lower-order together but her resistance ended when she was last out as the West Indies sealed a superb win. Anisa Mohammed followed up her batting heroics with 1-13 off 8.3 overs to be awarded Player of the Match. Taylor also bowled well finishing with 2-26 off her 10 overs.

IANS 2013-02-11 20:38:02