TRELAWNY – West Indies women suffered a narrow five-run defeat to England women in a thrilling opener to their five match One-Day International series yesterday.
Deandra Dottin grabbed three wickets for 21 runs, while Anisa Mohammed and Afy Fletcher each picked up two to restrict England to 149 all out on a slow surface at Trelawny Stadium.
West Indies were bowled out for 144 after a half-century opening stand. They stumbled in losing three wickets while the score remained on 100, but a fighting effort by Shemaine Campbelle took her side close to the target.
Dottin topscored with 27, while Hayley Matthews made 26, Shaquana Quintyne 25 and Shemaine Campbelle was unbeaten on 24.
England, who won the toss, were reduced to 49 for four as medium-pacer Dottin destroyed the top order, accounting for Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss and Heather Knight for a duck.
Opener Lauren Winfield scored 24 but it was Danni Wyatt who rescued the England innings with a top score of 44 and was ably supported by Amy Jones who scored 20.
The two stitched together 45 in an important partnership which ended when Wyatt holed out to cover off Fletcher, who finished with two wickets for 21 runs.
Mohammed finished with two for 17 as England were bowled out in the final over of the innings.
Openers Matthews and Quintyne added 53 for the first wicket until they were removed by 17-year-old debutant Sophie Ecclestone as England spinners began making inroads to reduce West Indies to 100 for seven.
Dottin threatened for a while, but eventually holed out, while Stafanie Taylor, who returned after retiring hurt, and Mohammed were all dismissed with the score on 100, putting the visitors in control.
Campbelle and Fletcher kept the chase alive with a stand of 23 until Fletcher was trapped lbw to Laura Marsh for 14.
West Indies were edging closer to the target until Katherine Brunt was brought back into the attack to trap Shamilia Connell and Erva Giddings lbw, handing England a 1-0 lead in the series.
The second game in the five-match series takes place tomorrow at the same venue. (CMC)
