West Indies veteran Stafanie Taylor etched her name into the history books on Wednesday, becoming only the fourth woman to complete the double of 3,000 T20I runs and 100 wickets, as the regional women crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets to complete a clean 3-0 series sweep here on Wednesday.
Taylor’s historic moment came with the ball, but her all-round brilliance defined the match at the Takashinga Sports Club.
After Zimbabwe elected to bat, the hosts looked set for a competitive total before Taylor intervened.
The Zimbabwean innings was anchored by opener Kelis Ndhlovu, who scored her fifth T20I half-century. Ndhlovu struck a fluent 63 off just 48 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six fours and three sixes.
She guided Zimbabwe to 40 for 1 in the powerplay, but the introduction of Taylor changed the complexion of the game immediately.
Taylor struck with just her second delivery, having Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano stumped by Mandy Mangru for seven to claim her 100th T20I wicket.
She later returned to trap Chiedza Dhururu lbw for nine, finishing with remarkable figures of 2 for 8 from her four overs.
Supported by Jahzara Claxton (2 for 35), the West Indies bowlers restricted the hosts despite a late surge. A 40-run stand off 27 balls between Ndhlovu and Christine Mutasa helped Zimbabwe post 142 for 6, taking 41 runs off the final four overs.
In response, Claxton led the charge with a composed 38 off 37 balls at the top of the innings. However, it was her 71-run partnership with Taylor for the second wicket that killed the game as a contest.
Opener Realeanna Grimmond chipped in with 17, but Taylor took control of the chase. The major difference between the two sides was the middle overs (overs 7 to 16).
While Zimbabwe managed only 61 for 3 during that phase, West Indies plundered 85 runs for the loss of just Claxton, who was bowled by Beloved Biza.
Taylor finished unbeaten on 64 off just 39 balls, an innings laced with 11 boundaries. She and Janillea Glasgow (15 not out) put on an unbroken 53-run stand for the third wicket to see the West Indies home with 18 balls to spare. (CMC)