FRESH FROM a clean sweep of the preceding One-Day International Series in Antigua, Australia women drew first blood when the three-match T20I series against West Indies commenced at Kensington Oval on Saturday night.
The Australians, who are the No. 1-ranked team in both ODI and T20 formats, held the Windies – who won the toss – to a modest 106 for eight before wiping off the target for the loss of four wickets with seven balls to spare.
The visitors centred their match-winning chase around an authoritative 54 not out by captain Meg Lanning who came to the crease in the second over and remained until the victory was achieved.
West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor was also her side’s leading batsman, but was forced to temper her approach as wickets tumbled around her at regular intervals after she, like Lanning, came at the fall of the first wicket. She did manage to open her shoulders on a few occasions to strike three fours and two sixes in a knock that spanned 55 balls.
The home team got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers in the first over of the match – Britney Cooper comprehensively beaten and bowled by pacer Megan Schutt, and Kyshona Knight run out at the striker’s end, responding late to a call for sharp single from Taylor.
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