Double blow for West Indies

Double blow for West Indies
Associated Press / Rafiq Maqbool, File

It was a double blow for West Indies cricket teams as both the senior West Indies men were humbled by India in the five-match One-Day Internationals losing 3-1. At Sabina Park, Jamaica, while in the ICC Women’s World Cup in England, the women slumped to their fourth straight defeat by the same margin to end their interest in their tournament.

West Indies men entered the final ODI on a high having defeated India in the fourth game five days ago in Antigua. The first game at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain was abandoned because of rain.

The regional team surprisingly won the third match in Antigua by 11 runs in a low scoring game.

Captain Virat Kholi smashed a century (111) not out to give India victory in the final game at Sabina Park.

It was tough going for the regional men’s team when they chose to bat first on a good pitch as they only managed to score 205 off their 50 overs.

The West Indies had earlier failed to capitalize on a strong start as their middle-order batting collapsed yet again and could muster a disappointing 205 for nine off their 50 overs.

The dependable Shai Hope scored 51 of 98 balls, while his older brother Kyle chipped in with 46 off 50 deliveries.

The century was Kholi’s 28th in ODIs and a record 18th in run chases. He struck 12 fours and two sixes in a 115-ball knock and added 122 in an unbroken third wicket stand with Dinesh Karthik, who scored an unbeaten 50 from 52 deliveries.

West Indies Women, meanwhile continued at the bottom without a point and ended their hope of making the final four.

After being sent into bat by New Zealand, the Caribbean side was all out for 150 off 43 overs at the Somerset County Ground in Taunton.

The Kiwis got their target in the 49 over. Veteran opener Rachel Priest slammed the fastest-ever Women’s World Cup 50, ending up with 90 not out.

They were beaten in their first game by Australia, and lost to India, to South Africa and New Zealand.