1st One-Day International
Venue: Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg
Toss: South Africa Women won the toss and bowled
Result: No Result
Player-of-the-Match: Deandra Dottin
Scoreboard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/208847/#scorecard
A magnificent career-best century from Deandra Dottin was the highlight but rain spoiled the show for West Indies Women forcing a no-result in the opening ODI against South Africa Women on Friday. Sent in at the historic Imperial Wanderers, Dottin made an impressive 150 not out as West Indies Women rallied to 234-3 in the 46th over, before the second of two rain breaks forced a premature end to the innings. Hayley Matthews stroked a classy 51 from 63 deliveries, combining with Dottin in a 186-run, third wicket stand that rescued the tourists from the peril of 27-2 in the 10th over.
Set a revised 204 from 29 overs under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS Method), the hosts were on 87-5 when the rain came for the third time, this time ending the match. South Africa Women were well placed at 41-1 at one stage but off-spinners Karishma Ramharack (2-18) and Hayley Matthews (2-27) snatched two wickets apiece to give West Indies Women the edge in the contest.
Dottin had earlier taken centre stage, unveiling an innings of the highest quality to complete her third ODI hundred and her second in three months, following her blistering 132 against Pakistan late last year. She faced 158 balls and hit 18 fours and four sixes, posting the highest-ever score by a West Indies Women’s player against Proteas Women. She reached her half-century off 68 balls off the fifth ball of the 21st over, carting left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon to the mid-wicket boundary for her ninth four.
Dottin then cruised to her century, majestically lofting left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba over the ropes at long off in the 31st over to move to 97 before reaching her landmark off the first ball of the 33rd by seamer Shabnim Ismail, with a casual single to long off. Her 18th four – a crunching cover drive off new-ball pacer Masabata Klaas – took Dottin to 150 in the 46th over before the rains arrived.
“Apart from the nerves starting off my innings, it was basically to occupy the crease and bat as deep as possible to get a total on the board for the bowlers to defend. My plans weren’t specific to scoring 150 but it was to be consistent and continue where I left off last year,” Dottin said. “With Hayley coming in I had no doubt she would be able to guide the innings with me. Batting with her, she makes it easy by playing her natural game and we have a great understanding at the crease.”
In reply, South Africa Women suffered an early setback when the stylish Laura Wolvaardt had her leg stump removed by fast bowler Shamilia Connell for six in the third over. Her opening partner Tazmin Brits, who made 32 from 37 balls with four fours and a six, added 29 for the second wicket with Lara Goodall (14) to repair the damage. However, once Goodall played around a straight one from Matthews and was bowled in the ninth over, the hosts lost three wickets for 22 runs to lose their way.
The two teams will return to the same venue for the second match on Monday. First ball is at 10am local time (4am Eastern Caribbean Time/3am Jamaica Time).
-CWI
