GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) — An explosive half century from Deandra Dottin powered West Indies to an easy seven-wicket win against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Dottin slammed an unbeaten 58 and shared in a rapid 82 run stand with Stafanie Taylor as the windies surged to victory after restricting New Zealand to 117 for 9.

The Caribbean women were pegged back by the dual loss of opener Tremayne Smartt and Shanel Daley in the second over.

But balls were hit to all parts of the ground as Dottin’s partnership with Taylor pulled West Indies out of the early stumble.

Dottin, who holds the records for the fastest women’s T20 century and half-century, smashed 58 not out off just 42 balls, with six fours and two sixes.

Taylor, the leading all-rounder in the world, made 38 off 43 balls with four boundaries as West Indies scored first victory over New Zealand in either T20s or ODIs.

The West Indies dominated from the start of the match with some good bowling and excellent fielding which contained New Zealand scoring.

Off-spinners Anisa Mohammed and Taylor both took two wickets to wreck the New Zealand batting, while teenaged leg-spinner Shemaine Campbelle also chipped in with two wickets.

New Zealand reached 63 for 1 in the tenth over with Captain Suzie Bates contributing 32 off 34 balls.

But the fall of Sophie Devine triggered a collapse as the next eight wickets fell for just 47 runs.

West Indies are now heading the Group B table on a better net run-rate after South Africa also opened their campaign with a win.