Mooney and Perry’s 99-run stand the difference between the sides
The West Indies went down to Australia by 43 runs in the first Women’s T20 International at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday evening. Despite an encouraging bowling performance, the hosts failed to capitalize on an uncharacteristically untidy fielding display from the Aussies to go one-nil down in the three-match series.
Needing 165 for victory, the West Indies scored 15 runs from the first four overs of the chase. Captain Hayley Matthews needed eight balls to get off the mark before she was cleaned up by Alana King in the 7th over for a 17-ball 11. Up until the 12th, they’d only lost the one wicket. Qiana Joseph crunched seven 4s and a six in her 39-ball innings of 45. Australia had put down as many as six catches.
In a tale as old as time, however, the Caribbean side had chewed up 34 dots in the first 66 balls of the innings. When Gardner finally held on to one to dismiss Joseph off the bowling of Kim Garth, the West Indies needed 89 runs from 59 balls at 76 for 2.
Australia essentially sealed victory in the 13th as King delivered a double-wicket maiden, removing Shemaine Campbelle (15 from 15) and Dottin for a duck on either side of a short rain break, leaving the West Indies grasping at 76 for 4. The wrist-spinner finished with figures of 3 for 14.