By Deepak Sharma
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
The West Indies bounced back in style at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, claiming a convincing six-wicket win over Scotland after a tough opening loss to South Africa.
After restricting Scotland to a modest total of 99, the West Indies chased down the target in under 12 overs, significantly boosting both their confidence and net run rate.
Scotland won the toss and opted to bat first but struggled early, losing Saskia Horley in the second over to Hayley Matthews for 11. Chinelle Henry then applied pressure with back-to-back maiden overs, including a wicket-maiden, bowling out Sarah Bryce for just two runs.
Ailsa Lister and Kathryn Bryce briefly steadied the innings, adding a 46-run partnership for the third wicket. Lister, who survived two dropped chances, was eventually dismissed for 26, caught off the bowling of Afy Fletcher. Fletcher then struck twice in two balls, trapping Priyanaz Chatterji LBW for two but narrowly missed a hat-trick.
Fletcher’s third crucial wicket came when she dismissed Kathryn Bryce for 25, reducing Scotland to 76 for five with five overs left. Darcey Carter’s unbeaten 14 helped Scotland reach 99 for eight, but two late wickets in the final over kept the total just shy of three figures.
Chasing 100, the West Indies lost Stafanie Taylor in the first over, followed by Matthews, who struggled for a 19-ball eight before falling to Chatterji. Qiana Joseph provided some spark at No.3, but after Shemaine Campbelle was caught and bowled by Olivia Bell for two, Joseph continued her aggressive play, smashing 31 off 18 balls before being dismissed by Bell.
At 59 for four, with 41 runs still needed from 11.4 overs, Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry took control, blasting 42 runs off just 20 balls. Dottin finished the game in style, hitting two sixes and a four off Abtaha Maqsood to seal the victory in emphatic fashion.
This crucial win moves the West Indies to the top of Group B, with matches against Bangladesh and England still to come.
Scores in Brief:
Scotland: 99 for 8 in 20 overs (Ailsa Lister 26, Kathryn Bryce 25; Afy Fletcher 3/22, Chinelle Henry 1/10)
West Indies: 101 for 4 in 11.4 overs (Qiana Joseph 31, Deandra Dottin 28*; Olivia Bell 2/18, Priyanaz Chatterji 1/15)
Result: West Indies won by six wickets.