GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):
ONLY 52 BALLS were possible as rain ruined the second One-Day International between West Indies Women and Ireland Women yesterday.
In a contest reduced to 20 overs per side after persistent showers delayed the start at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground for nearly six hours, Ireland Women reached 36 for five in the ninth over before the weather intervened for the final time.
“It was just a long day at the park watching the weather and seeing what happens. It was just a bit unfortunate that we weren’t able to get out there for very long today,” said West Indies Women’s captain, Hayley Matthews.
“I do think when we were able to get out there for the eight overs, the girls were able to go and put down a good performance for that period of time, but I think the weather won it today, and it was just unfortunate for us in the end.”
Predictably choosing to bowl after winning the toss, West Indies made early inroads into the Ireland Women’s innings, new-ball seamers Aaliyah Alleyne (2-2) and Shamilia Connell (2-14) grabbing a brace of wickets each.
Behind their onslaught, the innings slumped to 16 for four in the fourth over before 21-year-old Orla Prendergast (13 not out) and Leah Paul (5) put on 20 to stabilise the innings.
Matthews broke the stand at the end of the eighth over before the rains returned to rule out any further chance of play.
The final ODI is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue, West Indies winning the opener by 58 runs last Monday.