Smartt, Dottin give Windies series lead
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — Tremayne Smartt’s five-wicket haul and Deandra Dottin’s attacking half-century fired West Indies Women to a five-wicket victory and to a crucial 1-0 lead in the four-match One-Day International series against New Zealand yesterday.
Chasing a paltry 143 for victory, West Indies waltzed to their target off 40.1 overs at Warner Park, with Dottin hammering an attractive 60 off 77 deliveries.
She shared two essential partnerships after West Indies slipped to 36 for two in the 12th over. She put on 58 for the third wicket with Stafanie Taylor, who hit 21 before adding a further 36 for the fourth wicket with Shemaine Campbelle, who was not out on 18 at the end.
Seamer Suzie Bates took two for 17, while 20-year-old off-spinner Georgia Guy picked up two for 17.
Earlier, medium pacer Smartt snatched five for 24 to rock New Zealand after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat first.
Sophie Devine and Katie Perkins top-scored with 36, while Amy Satterthwaite got 33, as left-armer Shanel Daley picked two for 32.
New Zealand had a nightmare start when captain Bates was bowled by Smartt off the fourth ball of the day without scoring, playing across a straight delivery and Smartt was on target in her next over when she trapped Sara McGlashan lbw for one, playing back and across.
Struggling on two for two, New Zealand were then rescued by two partnerships. Firstly, Sam Curtis (12) and Satterthwaite put on 42 for the third wicket before Devine and Perkins added another 70 for the fifth wicket.
Well-placed to launch a late assault at 129 for four, New Zealand spectacularly lost their last six wickets for just 13 runs, as the innings plunged into terminal decline.