The West Indies Women narrowly went down by 8 runs to New Zealand in the opening game of the five-match T20 international Series after Spinner Leigh Kasperek’s three-wicket haul – including the late scalps of Kyshona Knight (19) and Kycia Knight (0) in the space of three balls in the 19th over.
The home team, after losing the toss and being inserted to bat, notched up 167 for 6 thanks to a second wicket partnership of 76 between captain Suzie Bates 49 and Katey Martin who made 54.
Martin, who faced just 35 balls, also put on 52 for the 3rd wicket with Amy Satterthwaithe who got 36.
Deandra Dottin – 2-23 – had the best bowling figures for the Windies Women while Hayley Matthews picked up 1-27.
The reigning world champions in reply were restricted to 159 for 6 after earlier slumping to 97 for 4.
This despite an unbeaten half century of 51 from 31 deliveries by captain Stafanie Taylor.
She was supported by opener Hayley Mathews who made 53 against Kasperek 3-35 AND Sophie Devine…2 for 27.
Taylor built on the platform that was set by Matthews, who dominated an opening stand of 42 with Merissa Aguilleira, to which the latter contributed just 5.
However, Matthews’ dismissal triggered a slide, as 60 for 1 became 97 for 4, until Kyshona partnered with Taylor for a 56-run stand that took the Windies closer. With 22 required off two over.
Taylor struck Kasperek for six at the start of the 19th. But the bowler recovered to concede just three runs off the remaining five deliveries while picking up two wickets. Akeira Peters used up four deliveries in the final over, by Sophie Devine, before Taylor got strike; by then the equation of 10 off 2 proved too tough even for the well-set batter.
Final scores New Zealand 167 for 6, West Indies 159 for 6.
The second game in the series will be played on Friday.