Taylor leads WI to big win

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC :

Captain Stafanie Taylor agonisingly missed out on her sixth one-day international (ODI) hundred and then returned to pick up three wickets as West Indies Women crushed Pakistan Women by 109 runs in the third ODI late Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

The prolific right-hander was left stranded on 98 as West Indies Women, asked to bat first, ratcheted up 281 for five at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium.

Taylor, in her first series as captain, faced 117 deliveries and struck six fours and received great support from former skipper Merissa Aguilleira, who stroked 68 from 90 balls to record her second half-century in three innings.

Kyshona Knight chipped in with a brisk 45 off 40 deliveries, while opener Matthews struck a breezy 35 from 34 balls.

Left-arm spinner Anam Amin finished with two for 50.

In their turn at the crease, Pakistan Women never really recovered from slumping to 19 for two in the fifth over and were restricted to 172 for nine off their 50 overs.

Once again, Taylor forced her way into the spotlight, snaring three for 26 to help cripple the Pakistani innings, while seamer Shamilia Connell (2-28) and off-spinner Hayley Matthews (2-32) both finished with two wickets.

took charge

Only Javeria Khan, with an unbeaten 73 off 127 balls, managed to make it past 20 and was one of only four batsmen in double figures.

The result handed West Indies two more all-important ICC Championship points, and once they can win tomorrow's final ODI, they will find themselves tied at the top of the standings with powerhouses Australia.

West Indies Women were given a flyer by Matthews and Kycia Knight (17), who put on 45 from 32 balls for the first wicket.

Knight struck three fours off 14 balls, while Matthews counted five fours off 34 deliveries but was two of three wickets to fall for 12 runs in the space of 29 balls, to leave the Windies Women struggling on 57 for three in the 11th over.

However, Taylor then took charge of the innings by anchoring two successive partnerships that wrenched the advantage away from Pakistan Women.