GROS ISLET, St. Lucia (windiescricket.com) – West Indies Women defeated Ireland Women by 2 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Batting first, Ireland were restricted to 112/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to economical and accurate bowling by Hayley Matthews 4-0-22-3, Cherry-Ann Fraser 3-0-22-2 and debutant Ashmini Munisar 4-0-16-1. 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. Skipper Hayley Matthews top-scored with 37 followed by Afy Fletcher with a valuable 19 when the game looked like it was slipping away from the home team. But Vice-Captain Shemaine Campbelle guided the team to a final ball single and take victory by 2 wickets.
