West Indies Women to start T20 World Cup campaign winless

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

A CATASTROPHIC collapse from the West Indies Women saw them going down by 35 runs to Australia in their second warm-up game ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai yesterday.

The Caribbean Women, chasing 145 to win, lost nine wickets for just 17 runs to be dismissed for 109 in 17.5 overs.

The regional women looked in control at 92 for two in the 14th over, with captain Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle at the crease. That position was set up nicely by opener Qiana Joseph, who gave the team a strong start with a brisk 36 off 29 balls.

Joseph and Matthews added 68 runs for the opening wicket in just 10 overs before Joseph was caught off Elise Perry.

Campbelle contributed nine, while Deandra Dottin was dismissed for a first-ball duck as Annabel Sutherland struck twice in the 14th over to spark a devastating collapse that the Windies would never recovered from.

Alana King and Tayla Vlaeminck capitalised on the momentum, tearing through the middle and lower order. Vlaeminck claimed two wickets in the 15th over, removing Chedean Nation for four and Nerissa Crafton for a duck.

King followed up in the next over by dismissing Aaliyah Alleyne for one and Mandy Mangru for nought, off consecutive deliveries.

With the West Indies reeling, all hopes rested on captain Matthews, who had batted impressively for her 42 off 46 balls, including six boundaries.

However, she soon fell to a catch by wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy off Vlaeminck, leaving the Windies in tatters as the innings quickly folded.

King was the standout with the ball bagging 4-30 from 3.5 overs, while Vlaeminck finished with 3-33 in her four overs. Sutherland chipped in with 2-2 from one over.

Earlier, the Aussies batted first and posted a competitive 144-8 with Sutherland the top scorer with 38 off 28 balls, including two fours and two sixes, batting at number seven.

Ashleigh Gardner with 31 and King, 21 not out, also contributed to the Aussie total. For the West Indies, Aaliyah Alleyne was the pick of the bowlers with 2-24 from three overs, while Afy Fletcher took 2-36.

The West Indies women will begin their World Cup campaign on October 4 against South Africa at the Sevens Stadium in Group B, which includes Scotland, England, and Bangladesh.