COLOMBO – West Indies women clinched a tight seven-run win over Sri Lanka women in the final T20 match to secure the series 4-1 yesterday at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Deandra Dottin slammed a top score of 43 to set up West Indies total of 122 for five and received support in building the innings from Juliana Nero.
Medium pacer Shanel Daley wiped out the tailenders with a four-wicket haul after a stubborn knock of 44 by Eshani Kaushalya revived the Sri Lankan run chase and brought them within sight of their second victory in the series.
Dottin, the opener, blasted her way out of a quiet spell in the series with her knock of 43 to deliver a strong start for the Caribbean side.
She struck two fours and three sixes and was supported by Nero, who contributed 25, before both wickets fell within a few balls.
The West Indies were precariously placed on 79 for three but intelligent batting in the middle of the innings by wicketkeeper Kycia Knight and Shaquana Quintyne averted a collapse.
Quintyne compiled 18 runs, while Knight was not out on 14, but together they played a crucial role in pushing the score to 122.
Sri Lanka were off to a poor start after new ball bowler Tremayne Smartt struck in the first over by trapping Yashoda Mendis lbw.
The home side was reduced to 24 for five in 8.4 overs at one stage as the game slipped from their grasp.
But the big hitting Kaushalya threatened to revive the innings smashing 44 in 26 balls, including four sixes.
She gave Sri Lanka a strong chance of rebounding but fell to Smartt with the score on 90 and three overs remaining.
Manodara Surangika made an unbeaten 29 but hopes of a comeback faded as wickets fell quickly at the other end.
Daley was the architect of Sri Lanka’s ultimate demise by conspiring with wicketkeeper Kycia Knight to set up four stumpings.
She finished with four for 33, three of them in the final over off which Sri Lanka needed 12. (CMC)
