ST JOHN’S, Antigua – India levelled the three-match Colonial Medical Insurance (CMI) One Day International (ODI) series when they defeated the West Indies Women by 53 runs in the second match, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday.
Mithali Raj won the toss for India and elected to bat first on a humid day in North Sound, scoring 191 for six. West Indies were bowled out for 138 with 16 balls remaining.
The West Indies bowlers had an early breakthrough when they removed Jemimah Rodrigues for 0, handing Aaliyah Alleyne her first ODI wicket. Soon after it was Priya Punia who fell for five to Shabika Gajnabi.
Punam Raut and Raj steadied the middle order with a 66-run partnership before Raj was caught of Sheneta Grimmond for 40. But it was a lifeline given to Raut when Windies captain Stafanie Taylor dropped a difficult running catch, which allowed Raut to score 77. She combined with Harmanpreet Kaur (46) for another partnership of 93 before Kaur fell.
Afy Fletcher was the most successful West Indies bowler, taking 2 for 32 and Aaliyah Alleyne with 2 for 38.
The West Indies batters never looked settled as the Indians got the ball to zip and turn on an improving pitch. Shemaine Campbelle and captain Stafanie Taylor top scored with 39 and 20, respectively, after Natasha McLean retired on 15. Alleyne fought valiantly in the end with 16 to show some resistance against the Indians, but she succumbed in the 48th over.
The final match will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.
Summarised scores:
India Women 191-6 in 50 overs (Punam Raut 77, Harmanpreet Kaur 46, Mithali Raj 40; Afy Fletcher 2-32, Aaliyah Alleyne 2-38). West Indies Women 138 in 47.2 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 39, Stafanie Taylor 20, Aaliyah Alleyne 16, Natasha McLean 15 ret., Afy Fletcher 14; Deepti Sharma 2-25, Poonam Yadav 2-26, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-27). India Women won by 53 runs. (PR/SAT)
