West Indies Women
181-8 (Stefanie Taylor 36, Kycia Knight 30, Suzie Bates 2-25) lost to White
Ferns 184-1 after 29.3 overs (Suzie Bates 95*, Sara McGlashan 60*) by nine
wickets
The White Ferns have cruised to a record nine wicket victory
over the West Indies Women in the opening match of the One Day International
series at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
The West Indies were restricted to 181 for eight from their
50 overs, with Stefanie Taylor top-scoring with 36. An unbeaten 142 run second
wicket partnership between Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan was the backbone
behind the White Fern chase, reaching the target after 29.3 overs.
Suzie Bates put in a Player of the Match performance, contributing
with figures of two for 25 with the ball and making an unbeaten 95 with the
bat.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, the West Indies got
off to a solid start, reaching 50 for one in the 14th over. Kycia
Knight looked set with a well-made 30, but her dismissal by Morna Nielsen was
followed by the fall of regular wickets.
The dynamic Stefanie Taylor was her usual aggressive self,
but undone by a direct hit in the field from Sophie Devine. The all-rounder
continued her involvement, taking two of her own wickets, including that of the
dangerous Shanel Daley (24).
All the bowlers played a hand, with debutant Hayley Jensen
looking particularly good with figures of one for 34 from eight overs.
In response the White Ferns pair of Bates and McGlashan
(60*) dazzled, crunching their way to half centuries and an easy victory.
Bates brought up her 50 off 55 balls, with McGlashan taking
just one extra ball. Having surpassed a 100 partnership and with under 50 runs
to win, the duo picked up the tempo and dominated the West Indies bowlers to
pick up the victory in under 30 overs.
The White Ferns play the second of three ODIs on Monday in
Lincoln.
