VIJAYAWADA, India, CMC – DeandraDottin’s 17th One-Day International half-century was in vain as West Indies Women slumped to their second straight loss of the three-match series against India Women, with a five-wicket defeat here Sunday.
Once again, the Caribbean side failed to mount a serious challenge when they batted, posting an inadequate 153 for seven off their 50 overs, and the hosts had little trouble overhauling the target with 12 overs to spare at the Mulapadu Cricket Stadium.
With the defeat, West Indies Women remained agonizingly shy of automatic qualification for next year’s 50-overs ICC World Cup in England, as they still require another two points to cross that line.
Sent in, West Indies Women were struggling at 58 for four in the 26th over before Dottin stroked a typically fluent 61 to pull them out of trouble.
She found an ally in former skipper Merissa Aguilleira who made 25, but no other Windies Women player passed 15 in another disappointing outing.
Defending their small total, West Indies Women got the early breakthrough they needed when opener ThirushKamini was dismissed for two in the unlikeliest of manners – obstructing the field – with the score on 23 for one in the fourth over.
Thereafter, however, India Women were never in danger of losing as captainMithali Raj top-scored 45, opener SmritiMandhana chipped in with 44 while Deepti Sharma got 32.
Mandhana struck six fours and a six off 62 balls and put on 63 for the second wicket with Deepti who counted four fours in her 63-ball knock.
West Indies Women enjoyed a strong period when three wickets tumbled for 39 runs but Raj erased any hopes of a comeback with stellar innings which came from just 51 deliveries and included six fours and a six.
The final day game of the series is set for Wednesday at the same venue.