West Indies Women v England Women
3rd T20 International
Venue: Kensington Oval
Toss: England won and batted
Result: England won by 17 runs
Series: England leads 3-0
Scorecard: https://bit.ly/wiwvengw3rdt20score
A spirited effort by West Indies saw them push England into a keen contest on Saturday night but the visitors secured a victory and with it took an unassailable lead in the five-match rubber.
It was a good night for England’s skipper Heather Knight who batted superbly to lead them to their third victory. With a number of well-timed strokes on both sides of the wicket, she made 43 off 27 balls. Earlier opener Sophia Dunkley set the platform with the top score with 44 off 31 balls to lead England to 157-6 off their 20 overs.
In the second half, Charlie Dean was the nemesis for the home side as she returned figures of 4-1-19-4 to put a pause on the West Indies victory charge. West Indies were at one stage 103-3 in the 14thover – with 53 needed off six overs – but Dean delivered a winning spell when she dismissed key batters and West Indies finished at 140-8 off their 20 overs.
GOOD TOUCH
The key wicket was skipper Hayley Mathews who played some powerful shots in 35 off 31 balls before she was stumped by Amy Jones off Dean. Matthews looked good touch much to the delight of her fans in the stands with six boundaries – which included two classic extra cover drives.
The innings was revived in the middle overs by Rashada Williams and Trishan Holder, on debut in front of her home crowd. Williams hit five fours on a top score of 38 off 29 balls and looked capable of pulling off a remarkable win. She was however trapped leg-before at a crucial stage of 138-7 at the end of the 19th over. The 19-year-old Holder overcame a nervous start to blossom with some attractive shots as she made a run-a-ball 21 in a stand of 40 with Williams.
Despite the loss, West Indies Women’s head coach, Courtney Walsh was pleased with the team’s performance, saying,
The effort we’ve shown in the last two games, in particular, this one is very pleasing. It’s also good that we’ve got some youngsters around who are showing the fight. We’re trying to create a different team culture and approach and learning is taking place all the time. It’s a loss in terms of the series but I am pleased with what I am seeing with the bigger picture of what lies ahead for the tri-series and World Cup.
BOTTOM LINE
Another action-packed match-up is expected on Sunday when the teams meet for the fourth contest on this series. West Indies will need to bounce back in their bid to get a victory over the visitors. The first ball is 6 pm (5 pm Jamaica Time).
-ENDS-