That brings an end to our coverage of this game. Keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe. This is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentators Dev Rajawat, Saptak Sanyal and scorer Rajesh Pal. Until next time, cheers and good bye.
Sophie Molineux (Australia Women Captain): “[What grade would you give your batters?] I don’t know. Like an A. We got off to a very good start. In the middle, it was pretty hard to bat. But we gave our big-hitters a chance to finish off and I think 340 is a very good total on this surface.
[On the batters getting starts] Ideally, you like to go in the change rooms after posting big scores. Everyone got starts. The next part is to take the game on and get the hundred.
[On defending the total at this venue] The outfield is little bit slower and the wind is stronger. The pitch is similar. It got slower in the middle when the spinners were bowling. But in the night, it skidded on little more. Plenty of things to take on in the next game.
[On having a number of bowling options] It’s great. They are all top quality. Good tonight for Wareham to settle in and bowl 10 overs. We have got 3-4 quicks as well on the park. So, that’s a great sign for us.”
Hayley Matthews (West Indies Women Captain): “[Challenges while bowling first] It was a good wicket. I think they batted pretty well. They came in aggressive early in the innings. I think we did a pretty good job in holding them at that score. But they got away in the end. Some good bowling from us in the middle.
[Solution on the death bowling going forward] It has a lot to do with execution. Figuring out different plans but it is an area of concern and we have to get it right. Also, not getting wickets early on. Australia is a world-class side and they will make us play.
[On Stafanie Taylor's knock] Great to see her back and at her best. She batted beautifully today and she’s a legend of West Indies cricket. We always love to see her do good and it means that West Indies cricket is doing good.
Georgia Wareham (Player of the Match): “[On her plan while walking out to bat] I just wanted to keep the game moving. The girls set a nice platform for me. It’s always fun when you come in at such a stage.
[On playing at this venue] Every ground has got a character. There is always a buzz in the West Indies. The wind is a big factor here. Just getting used to it.
[On bowling googly tonight] I have always been working on it in the background. Just getting the confidence to use it in the game. Happy to get it."
Player of the Match: Georgia Wareham
6:55 AM IST, 9:25 PM Local Time: That's it. A dominant performance in all three departments and Australia Women get an early lead in the three-match ODI series. They beat West Indies Women comprehensively by 103 runs to go 1-0 up in the series. The hosts have been completely outplayed today as they continue to struggle in this series against the Southern Stars.
Let’s see how things unfolded today. Australia Women won the toss and opted to bat first. Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll (42) added 75 for the first wicket before the latter fell in the 11th over. Litchfield (77) along with Ellyse Perry (44) built a solid 91-run stand before both fell in a quick succession.
Ashleigh Gardner (12) fell cheaply but skipper Sophie Molineux (47) and Nicola (49) made sure that the hosts didn’t get back in the contest. Both stitched a wonderful 91-run stand for the fifth wicket which laid the foundation for a strong finish.
Georgia Wareham played a fine cameo of 21-ball 42 but a flurry of wickets in the final three overs meant that Australia Women got bundled out on 341 in 49.5 overs. For the hosts, Afy Fletcher (3/83) picked up three wickets whereas Deandra Dottin (2/54) and Stafanie Taylor (2/31) chipped in with a couple each.
In reply, West Indies Women lost Qiana Joseph (12) early in the innings. Skipper Hayley Matthews (22) got a start but failed to carry on. It was a short stay for Deandra Dottin (6) who got run out at the non-striker’s end. Stafanie Taylor was joined by Chinelle Henry and both led the recovery work.
Henry looked good for her 38 before getting cleaned up in the 30th over as Georgia Wareham broke the 73-run stand. Taylor kept going strong but lacked support as Jannillea Glasgow (7), Shemaine Campbelle (12), Jahzara Claxton (14) and Aaliyah Alleyne (4) failed to contribute.
Taylor brought up a fighting hundred but it was too much to do for them. The veteran remained unbeaten on 105 off 129 as West Indies Women finished their innings on 238/8, losing the game by 103 runs. Kim Garth bowled beautifully for Australia Women and registered figures of 3/37 from her 10 overs. Ashleigh Gardner (2/44), Nicola Carey (1/25) and Georgia Wareham (1/39) were the other wicket-takers as the Southern Stars completed a dominant performance.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.
OVER 50
West Indies Women
238/8
Stafanie Taylor
105(129)
Afy Fletcher
4(11)
Kim Garth
3-37(10.0)
49.6 K Garth to S Taylor
0 Short of a length around off, defended to cover point for none.