NZ W VS WI W MATCH 1

Right then! That is it from this enthralling contest! We have a double-header coming up on Saturday, 5th March. Bangladesh Women will take on South Africa Women in the first game of the day which begins at 3.30 am IST (10 pm GMT, previous night). The second game of the day sees a tussle between England Women and Australia Women. This mouth-watering clash will commence at 6.30 am IST (1 am GMT). Do join us then and make sure you tune in early for the buildup. Until then, take care and goodbye.

Stafanie Taylor, the skipper of West Indies Women, says that the way Matthews played, it changed the game for them. Tells that they spoke about getting 200 to be competitive and they got a good score on the board. On asked if Matthews will open regularly, she says that it is for the coaches to decide. Tells that they knew New Zealand Women are a good chasing team but they focused on their game and put up a good total which was crucial. Informs that Shakera Selman was supposed to bowl the last over but Deandra Dottin said she wanted to bowl the final over, so she just gave her the ball. Adds that they like to fly under the radar and do little by little and take one match at a time.

Sophie Devine, the skipper of New Zealand Women, says that it was an entertaining game but credits Matthews for the way she played. Tells that being the host nation they need to play their best cricket. Mentions that she is disappointed because she couldn't get her team over the line. Tells that they didn't start well with the ball but they will look to make amends against Bangladesh Women in their next game.

Hayley Matthews is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her splendid all-round performance. She says that to get a win against the home side is unbelievable. Jokes that the players are telling her to get injured more often as the team won the game with her injured hamstring. Mentions that it was an important knock for her and they had to put a good performance. Says that this win means a lot to her and hopes that they carry the same momentum going forward.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Well, in spite of dropping so many catches, West Indies Women have managed to get over the line but credit must go to them as they handled the pressure better than New Zealand Women in the end. They were very sloppy in the field but their bowlers fought till the end and held their nerves against a side that bats pretty deep. Hayley Matthews had a day out as she followed up her hundred in the first innings with a really good bowling spell and picked two crucial wickets. Anisa Mohammed also picked up a couple of wickets but it was the experienced Deandra Dottin who stole the show in the last over as she defended 5 runs in the last over and West Indies Women have started the tournament on a winning note.

New Zealand Women had their task cut out as they had to chase 260 runs but they were denied a good start as they lost Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr early on in the innings. It was their skipper, Sophie Devine who carried on with her good form and steadied the ship along with Amy Satterthwaite. However, once the White Ferns lost Amy Satterthwaite, things went downhill for them as they lost wickets in a cluster. Devine held one end also notched up her sixth hundred in ODIs. She kept losing partners at the other end but had a good partnership with Katey Martin. Once Devine departed, it was Jess Kerr and Martin who took their side to safer shores but they failed to get 6 runs in the last over.

WOW! What a thrilling game to kick off the ICC Women's World Cup, 2022! West Indies Women looked down and out at one point but the experience of Deandra Dottin in the last over has done wonders for West Indies Women. New Zealand Women would be gutted as they had things under control for a majority of the innings but lost their way in the end overs.

OUT! RUN OUT! Oh my word, what a humdinger of a contest. Deandra Dottin bowls a back-of-the-hand delivery, outside off, jagging back in a little. Hannah Rowe has a slash at it but fails to connect. Fran Jonas wants a bye and starts running but Hannah Rowe sends her back. Shemaine Campbelle collects the ball and under-arms it to Deandra Dottin who runs back and whips the bails off. Fran Jonas is well short of her crease. The players of West Indies Women are ecstatic. WEST INDIES WOMEN WIN BY 3 RUNS!

Fran Jonas is the last batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Deandra Dottin is bowling the over of her life! Exceptional bowling this! Deandra Dottin hasn't bowled a single over this match and  her skipper, Stafanie Taylor asks her to bowl the most important over and she is not disappointing her. Length ball, on middle. Jess Kerr backs away and lofts it towards mid off. Didn't time it that well and Chinelle Henry at mid off runs across to her left and grabs the catch over her head. 4 needed from 2 balls! West Indies Women need one wicket. New Zealand Women one hit away! Whose game will this be?

Fuller in length, on middle and leg. Hannah Rowe clears her front leg and drives it to mid on for a single. 4 needed from 3 balls! This still could be anyone's game!

Hannah Rowe walks out to bat.

OUT! LBW! Deandra Dottin hurls in and bowls it full, on leg. Katey Martin tries to flick but misses and gets struck on the back pad. The players of West Indies put up a huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Katey Martin wants this to be reviews. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows three reds. The original decision stands. Deandra Dottin strikes and what a time to get the wicket. Katey Martin has played a handy knock for her side. A fighting knock comes to an end.

Review! Katey Martin has reviewed it straightaway after being adjudged LBW! Huge moment in this game. No bat involved, confirms the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracker indicates three reds and New Zealand Women lose a review.

Hits it hard! Length ball, on middle. Jess Kerr makes room and smashes it to wide of mid off. Chinelle Henry shows great committment by putting in a dive to her left. Saved a certain boundary. A single is taken!

Deandra Dottin to bowl the last over of the innings.