ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

Match 2: vs England Women

Venue: University Oval, Dunedin

Result: West Indies Women won by 7 runs

Player of the Match: Shemaine Campbelle

SEE SCORECARD HERE

Shemaine Campbell produced a tremendous match-winning innings, then Shamilia Connell followed up with three key wickets to give West Indies Women a sensational win over England in their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match. This victory over the defending champions now gives the West Indies the ideal start to the marquee event with two wins in a row. They had a memorable triumph by three runs runs over New Zealand in the opening encounter and now top the points table.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the West Indies posted their highest opening partnership at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, when Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews added 81 runs in 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone was introduced into the bowling attack which proved to be the catalyst for a three-wicket slide. Matthews was the first to go for a well-played 45 off 58 balls which included four fours and two massive sixes. Dottin was run out for 31 while hustling for a quick single and skipper Stafanie Taylor gloved her first delivery and was caught behind.

Campbelle and Chedean Nation then rebuilt the West Indies innings in a 123-run partnership which saw the team post a defendable 225-6 from their 50 overs. Campbelle struck a top score of 66 from 80 balls, which included four boundaries while Nation finished one short of a first World Cup half-century – her invaluable 49 not out came off 74 balls, inclusive of three fours. Sophie Ecclestone was England’s best bowler with 3-20 from her 10 overs.

Campbelle was named Player of the Match. Speaking at the end she said:

When England batted, Dottin provided the catch of the tournament so far when she dived full-stretch to her left at backward point to hold onto a powerful cut shot shot to dismiss Lauren Winfield-Hill for 12 off the bowling of Connell. England captain, Heather Knight had a stumping appeal made against her but the DRS showed she actually touched the ball and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Campbelle for five. Nat Sciver then lobbed one straight to Aaliyah Alleyne off Hayley Matthews and West Indies were on top with the score at 58-3.

West Indies enforced more pressure and England slipped to further trouble on 94-5. Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt joined forces and clawed them back into the match with a 60-run partnership. After an expensive first over, Stafanie Taylor came back for a second and had Dunkley caught by Chinelle Henry for 38 off 35 balls. Two balls later Wyatt was caught by Henry again off the bowling of Connell for 33 off 31 balls.

This made it 156-8 in the 35th over, but the match had another twist as Sophie Ecclestone and Kate Cross added 61 runs, to create an tense finish. Anisa Mohammed was tasked with bowling the 48th over and she lived up to the billing as a “big day player”. The experienced off-spinner run out of Kate Cross for 27, when the ball deflected of her fingers from a missed return catch and Cross was well short of her crease at the non-striker’s end.

Then Mohammed produced the perfect deliver in the block hole to shatter the stumps of Anya Shrubsole. It was sensational end to the match and Mohammed celebrated in grand style as she pumped her fists and sprinted towards the dressing room with her joyous team-mates behind her.

Mohammed said:

The West Indies Women will travel to Hamilton next, where they will take on India on Saturday, March 12 in a day/night encounter at Seddon Park. First ball is at 2pm (Friday, March 11, 9pm Eastern Caribbean Time/8pm Jamaica Time)

The West Indies Women will travel to Hamilton next, where they will take on India on Saturday, March 12 in a day/night encounter at Seddon Park. First ball is at 2pm (Friday, March 11, 9pm Eastern Caribbean Time/8pm Jamaica Time)