MBAI, India, CMC – A fighting half century stand between Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle failed to pull West Indies women out of a rut as they lost to Australia Women by 135 runs in an official warm-up game of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Middle Income Group Ground here yesterday.
Dottin and Campbell led a fight back by compiling 67 runs for the fourth wicket to defy an Australian attack which had crippled a West Indies run chase to surpass a target of 333.
Their valiant effort to repair an innings in disarray as a result of the loss of early wickets were futile as the Caribbean women were bowled out for 198 in 44.3 overs.
Dottin was the key instigator of the Windies temporary recovery top scoring with 52 runs before playing a Renee Chappell off break into the hands of Megan Schutt.
Her 30-ball innings included four fours and five sixes.
The visitors lost their first wicket with just 24 runs on the board and plunged to 71 for four as most of their frontline batters were dismissed cheaply by the 17th over.
Opener June Ogle Thomas was first to depart, bowled by medium pacer Ellyse Perry for nine after hitting her for successive boundaries in the first over. Dottin and Campbelle lifted the West Indies from their shaky 71 for 4 to a promising position of 133 for 5 before Campbelle was caught by wicketkeeper Jodie Fields off Folly Ferling, having contributed 18.
Captain Merissa Aguilleira and Shakera Selman staged spirited late order attempts to maintain the momentum but struggled against the rampaging Aussies.
Aguilleira cracked three fours in a knock of 32 before she was caught going after Schutt while Selman was unbeaten on 29.
Earlier, four top order batters powered to half centuries as the Australians compiled a mammoth 333 for five off 50 overs.
Jess Cameron top scored with 62 before she was stumped by captain and wicketkeeper Aguilleira while Campbelle had Rachael Haynes caught by Selman on 61.
Lisa Sthalekar 59 and Elyse Villani 50 were both forced to retire hurt.
