BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Teenaged West Indies batsman Deandra Dottin said yesterday she had taken a do-or-die approach in scoring her historic century against South Africa.
Dottin wrote her name into cricket history with the first ever century in women’s Twenty20 Internationals when she slammed an astonishing, unbeaten 112 in the opening match of the Women’s World Twenty20 Championship.
“After we lost two quick wickets, the plan was that Shanel (Daley) and I would pick up singles and hit every bad ball,” Dottin explained.
“However, when I saw that the overs were slipping away from us I decided to go after everything, it was either do-or-die. I knew that the team needed me and I just kept me eyes on the ball, played with some patience and played straight. I also knew that we could defend a high total.”
The 18-year-old middle order batsman said despite the personal accomplishment, she was more excited that the team and opened their WT20 Championship campaign on a winning note.
“It feels really good to be the first woman to make a century in Twenty20 cricket and this record and win mean a lot,” Dottin said.
“I am happy I did it for the team when we needed it most. People have been telling us that teams like Pakistan and Australia are two of the favourites to win. However, today we proved that we are here to win the cup in the Caribbean.”
The right-handed Dottin required a mere 43 balls for her eventual score as West Indies completed a 17-run win over South Africa at Warner Park.
She counted six fours and nine sixes, speeding to her first fifty from 25 balls and required just another 13 to reach three figures.
Dottin said she owed her form to the support she had been receiving from those around her.
“People have been encouraging me. My close friends and my other team-mates have been telling me I could do really well and they have told me that I have the ability to make high scores,” she said.
Dottin said yesterday’s win had now given her side confidence in the tournament where they are pitted in Group A against title-holders England and the mighty Australians.
“We are happy with the way we started and we just want to maintain the momentum,” she said.
“There is still work to do, we still have to play England and Australia, but we are confident and we know we have the ability to do it.”