West Indies women win off final delivery

WEST Indies Women defeated Ireland Women by two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Tuesday night.

Batting first, Ireland were restricted to 112/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to economical and accurate bowling by captain Hayley Matthews who ended with 3/22 in four overs. Cherry-Ann Fraser (2/22) and debutant Ashmini Munisar (1/16) were also among the wickets. Ireland captain Laura Delany top scored with 34 followed by Eimear Richardson with 22.

In their run-chase, the West Indies lost wickets in consistent periods which slowed their scoring and forced it down to the last ball for a result. Matthews top scored with 37 followed by Afy Fletcher with a valuable 19, but the game looked like it was slipping away from the home team. Vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle delivered with a single off the last ball to guide West Indies to the narrow win.

The second match will be played on Thursday and the final match will be contested on Saturday. All matches bowl off at 5 pm TT time at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.