BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Opener Pamela Lavine stroked a delightful half-century but could not deny England a consolation, four-wicket win over West Indies in the third and final Twenty20 International at Warner Park yesterday.
The right-hander scored 61 from 49 balls but West Indies still limped to 119 for six off their allotted 20 overs, after winning the toss and batting.
Jenny Gunn then top scored with 35 from 26 balls as England raced to their target for the loss of four wickets.
Despite the loss, West Indies finished the series as 2-1 winners after easily winning the first two encounters on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
West Indies got off to their now familiar nightmare start when captain Merissa Aguilleira was trapped lbw by Katherine Brunt without scoring, off the fifth ball of the innings with the score on one.
Britney Cooper scored 10 and added 20 for the second wicket with Lavine before going via the run out route and Amanda Samaroo followed soon after for two with West Indies on 28 for three in the eighth over.
Lavine, who hammered five fours and two sixes in her knock, dominated a 21-run, fourth wicket stand with Chadene Nation (6) before the latter perished to leave the hosts tottering at 49 for four in the 13th over.
West Indies were then bolstered by a productive partnership of 57 off 40 balls between Lavine and Stacey-Ann King whose 25 required 23 balls and included two fours, as they reached their eventual score.
Brunt finished with two for 27 while Nicky Shaw claimed two for 35.
In reply, England were given a rousing start of 49 off 35 balls from openers Charlotte Edwards and Emily Rainford-Brent, to nullify any Windies comeback.
Captain Edwards stroked 29 from 20 balls with three fours while Rainford-Brent scored 19 from 23 balls with five fours.
Both fell within the space of 15 balls but Gunn and Beth Morgan, who got 14 from 15 balls, added a further 31 for the third wicket to put England in sight of victory.
Gunn stroked six fours in an entertaining innings before becoming the third wicket to fall but by then victory had been assured.
Lavine was voted Player-of-the-Match and was also handed the Player-of-the-Series award for her 124 runs and four wickets in the three-match series.