MUMBAI, India (CMC) – Prolific opener Stafanie Taylor hammered a career-best century as West Indies Women rebounded from an opening game defeat to crush Sri Lanka Women by 209 runs in their second match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Sunday.

The elegant right-hander unveiled a magnificent 171 to propel West Indies to 368 for eight off their 50 overs, the side’s highest ever total in a One-Day International.

Big-hitter Deandra Dottin chipped in with a typically aggressive even fifty, captain Merissa Aguilleira gathered a brisk unbeaten 47 while Kyshona Knight scored a patient 44.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost early wickets to plummet to 159 all out off 40 overs, with Deepika Rasangika top scoring with 28.

Teenaged leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne was the Windies’ best bowler with three for 32 while left-arm spinner Shanel Daley struck two key blows early in the innings to finish with two for 35.

The victory was a crucial one for West Indies especially after they lost their opening contest to hosts India last Thursday, and it catapulted them to the top of Group A courtesy of net run rate.

All four teams have two points after two matches.

Sent in at the Middle Income Group Ground, the Windies lasses benefitted from several superb partnerships, all expertly anchored by the brilliant Taylor.

She put on 62 off 58 balls for the first wicket with Kycia Knight (30) before adding a further 110 for the third wicket with Kyshona Knight.

The innings was then carried into overdrive thanks to a rollicking 90-run fourth wicket stand 39 balls with Dottin, and this was sustained when Taylor combined with Aguilleira in a 34-ball, seventh wicket partnership of 55.

Overall, Taylor faced 137 balls and counted 18 fours and two sixes, surpassing her previous best of 147 against the Netherlands at Potchefstroom in South Africa three years ago.

The knock is the highest score by a West Indian in women’s cricket

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