NVERCARGILL, New Zealand, CMC- West Indies Women, hounded by medium pacer Suzie Bates, lost to New Zealand Women by 24 runs in the third T20 of the five match series at Queen’s Park here yesterday.
Bates destroyed a promising opening stand and disrupted an innings revival as West Indies crashed to 109 all out chasing New Zealand’s 133 for six.
Kycia Knight and Natasha Mclean began laying the foundation with an opening stand of 25 after New Zealand, sent in to bat, had set a winning target of 134.
However Bates ended the partnership when McLean was caught for 9 without scoring a boundary while Knight who struck two fours was also caught in the next over for 15.
West Indies had stumbled to 26 for two when captain Merissa Aguilleira and Kyshona Knight attempted to rescue the innings by way of a third wicket stand which produced 23 runs before it expired with the run out of Aguilleira for 11.
However Shemaine Campbell joined Knight and together they continued the repair mission in a dogged top order fight by adding an additional 28 runs for the fourth wicket.
Campbell smashed two boundaries and faced 17 balls in a top score of 23 before Bates again spoiled the party by having her caught behind and effectively subduing the Windies best efforts to rekindle the run chase. Six balls earlier, Knight had departed, succumbing to felicity Leydon-Davis, caught and bowled for
21 which included three fours.
Campbell’s departure signaled a further batting collapse as the last five West Indies wickets fell for 20 runs.
Bates was the best New Zealand bowler finishing with three for 21 while Sophie Devine picked up two for 14.
Devine, player –of-the-match, was the top scorer as well with 46 after West Indies, who won the toss, had sent in New Zealand to bat first.
Devine put on key partnerships with Sara McGlashan (18) and Katie Perkins (34) to give the White Ferns a competitive total. Shakera Selman was the leading wicket taker for the West Indies grabbing three for 23 including the wicket of Bates who lost her stumps on 19.
