Despite a solid half century and a three wicket haul from Captain Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies women suffered a narrow one run loss to the New Zealand White Ferns.

This in their first ICC one day International Women’s Championship match at the Bert Sutcliffe oval, yesterday.

Taylor cracked a fine half century of 90 runs off 93 balls, but it was not enough as the Caribbean women chasing 278 runs to win, fell short at 277 for 9 from their 50 overs.

Kyshona Knight was left unbeaten on 44 and Kycia Knight supported with 38.

Holly Huddleston was the most economical bowler for New Zealand as he bagged 2 for 40.

Sent to bat the white ferns scored a solid 278 for 9 from their allotted 5o overs, as the experienced pair of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates posted a 76-run partnership, led by Devine who reached her third ODI century, scoring 108 off 103 balls and bates who knocked 44.

Devine also shared in a 60-run partnership with Amy Satterthwaite who made 27.

Taylor grabbed 3 for 54, Afy Fletcher also had a three wicket haul, while Hayley Matthews picked up 2 for 68.

Both teams will meet again in the second ODI n Lincoln on Wednesday.

These games will be used to gain points toward qualification to the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup.