Staff Writer – Archi
The West Indies women are on a roll. After sneaking into the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup by virtue of a better run rate, the Caribbeans made heavy weather of a reasonably easy chase before clinching a two-wicket victory over South Africa in Cuttack on the eastern state of Orissa in India on Friday.
Set a target of 231, the Islanders lost their way after a decent start before managing to seal the issue with two wickets and 27 balls to spare.
Kycia Knight (46) and Stafanie Taylor (75) were the stars of the successful run chase.
Earlier, the South Africans managed to put on a fighting total on board.
Trisha Chetty (45) and Croi-zelda Brits (44) were the top run-getters in an otherwise mediocre batting effort against some tight and disciplined West Indies bowling.
Stephanie Taylor. Photo courtesy antiguaobserver.com
The West Indian chase was not off to a very good start although they lost opener Natasha Mclean for just five runs. But Knight (46) and Taylor (75) steadied the innings in contrasting style.
The cautious Knight and the aggressive Taylor stitched together a 126-run second wicket partnership. Knight departed first after facing 68 deliveries and hitting six boundaries falling to 19-year-old leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk.
Taylor followed Knight back to the pavilion, falling to the same bowler after a 78-ball knock which was studded with nine fours and a six.
Tremayne Smartt. Photo courtesy supersport.com
Later, Deandra Dottin (24) and Shemaine Campbell (33) did their bit to take the Windies past the finish line. The South Africans were guilty of inconsistency as their bowlers, despite taking regular wickets, failed to keep a lid on the scoring rate.
For the Caribbean team, pacer Tremayne Smartt was the top wicket-taker, grabbing two while conceding 43 runs in her 10 overs.
She was well-supported by fellow pacer Shanel Daley, who picked up one wicket after giving away 39 runs in her 10 overs.
Brief scores: South Africa 230-7 in 50 overs (Chetty 45, Brits 44, van Niekerk 33 not out; Smartt 2-10). West Indies 234-8 in 45.3 overs (Kycia Knight 46, Taylor 75, Campbelle 33; Van Niekerk 3-47). West Indies won by two wickets.
