The West Indies women have taken out the One Day International Series against the White Ferns 2-1, after winning the deciding match by 95 runs at Sabina Park in Kingston today.
A brilliant knock of 135 not out from Stefanie Taylor led the home side to a first innings total of 238 for six. In reply, the White Ferns top order failed to create a substantial partnership and were dismissed for 143 after 43 overs.
The visitors pursuit got off to the worst possible start when captain Suzie Bates was run out without scoring. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and after 23 overs the White Ferns found themselves in trouble at 76 for five.
Katie Perkins (34) and Rachel Priest provided some resistance in the middle order and at 113 for five a slither of hope remained. Unfortunately the match was effectively over when both fell in the space of four runs, with the West Indies going on to clean up the tail with seven overs remaining.
Taylor capped off her Man of the Match performance with four wickets in her eight overs for 35 runs, while two run outs also hindered the White Ferns effort with the bat.
Earlier, Taylor anchored her side through to an imposing total and was aided by a number of small contributors throughout. Having been introduced after just 1.4 overs, the 22-year-old showed the perfect balance between patience and aggression to see out the rest of the 50 overs and bring up her fifth ODI century.
The White Ferns now have four days to prepare for the upcoming Twenty20 Tri-series against the West Indies and England in Barbados.
