ST. JOHN’S, Antigua- Seventy not out from Captain Stafanie Taylor could not save the West Indies Women from defeat to Australia by 178 runs in the first match of the Colonial Medical Insurance One Day International Series, played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Winning the toss, the West Indies sent Australia in for first strike and were rewarded in the first ball of the innings when Shamilia Connell had Rachel Haynes caught. But Captain Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy steadied the Aussie innings in a 224-run partnership that saw both batters reach 121 and 122 respectively.

Australia would eventually post 308/4 from their fifty overs. Shamilia Connell was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with 2/53 from 10 overs. Stafanie dropped anchor when she walked to the crease with the West Indies tottering on 1/0. She had some middle-order support in fending off the Aussie attack, but after Chinelle Henrydeparted, it was quickly over for the West Indies. All out for 130/9 in 37.3 overs, Stafanie not out on 70, as Kycia Knight was not able to return to bat as a result of a lower back injury which forced her to be stretchered off the field while fielding earlier in the match.

West Indies Women won the toss and elected to bowl first

Australia 308/4 (50 overs)

Healy 122

Lanning 121

Connell 2/53

Fletcher 1/54

West Indies 130 all out (37.3 overs)

Taylor 70*

Henry 14

Perry 3/17

Wareham 2/44

Player of the Match: Alyssa Healy

FULL SQUAD:

1. Stafanie Taylor (Captain)
2. Anisa Mohammed
3. Afy Fletcher 
4. Chinelle Henry 
5. Shamilia Connell 
6. Stacy Ann King
7. Natasha McLean
8. Kycia Knight 
9. Kyshona Knight 
10. Reniece Boyce 
11. Karishma Ramharack 
12. Shabika Gajnabi
13. Sheneta Grimmond

-CWI