Windies Women, SA share ODI series (1-1)

West Indies Women leveled the three-match One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa in the ICC Women’s Championship series (1-1) at Kensington Oval, Barbados recently.

The second match at the same venue was abandoned after persistent rains forced the umpires to call off the game.

The Windies Women, led by Deandra Dottin’s three-wicket haul had put themselves in a good position after limiting the South Africans to 177 for eight, with the match having been reduced to 39 overs.

However, the Windies run chase never got going, resulting in the contest ending in a no-result.

The final match West Indies Women thrashed the South Africans by 115 runs to square the series.

Playing in the decisive third and final game, West Indies piled up a venue-record 292 for five off their 50 overs with 20-year-old opener Hayley Matthews scoring her maiden ODI century.

In reply, South Africa failed to recover from a rocky start and were bowled out for 177 in the 43 over, with captain Dane van Nierkerk top-scoring with 77 and 19-year-old leg spinner Laura Wolvaardt chipping in with 54.

Van Niekerk was voted Player-of-the-Series.

Both teams are now involved five-match Twenty20 International series, which bowled off at Kensington Oval last week. Windies Women won the opening game.

The other four games are to be played at the Brian Lara Stadium, in South Trinidad.