Joseph leads in rain-affected match to give West Indies a 1-0 lead
Joseph leads in rain-affected match to give West Indies a 1-0 lead
West Indies Women won the match by 4 wickets in the opening game of the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
West Indies secured a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against South Africa after successfully chasing a rain-adjusted target in Barbados.
South Africa batted first, with Tazmin Brits scoring a quick half-century, making her the second-fastest South African woman to reach 1000 ODI runs. However, the West Indies put in a solid bowling performance, keeping South Africa’s total within reach.
Set a target of 233, Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews gave West Indies a strong start, building an 88-run partnership. Matthews scored 40 off 44 balls before Ayanda Hlubi dismissed her. Joseph continued aggressively, hitting ten fours and a six in her 60-run knock before Hlubi struck again.
West Indies stumbled after Joseph’s dismissal, losing three wickets for 21 runs, but rain interrupted the match. After a long delay, the target was revised to 180 from 34 overs. Stafanie Taylor then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 30 off 34 balls, helping West Indies secure victory with two overs to spare, despite South Africa picking up two more wickets.
Earlier, South Africa started well, with Brits and Laura Wolvaardt putting up a 73-run opening stand. However, spin bowlers Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher, along with two run-outs, reduced them to 104 for 5. Sune Luus and Sinalo Jafta tried to stabilise things with a 40-run stand, but Matthews struck again, triggering another collapse.
Nadine de Klerk’s late 42 off 38 balls from No. 8 lifted South Africa to a respectable total, but the rain adjustment played in the West Indies’ favour. Ramharack and Aaliyah Alleyne took two wickets each, while Matthews, Fletcher, and Jannillea Glasgow claimed one apiece.
A solid all-around performance from the West Indies.