West Indies clinched a 7-run win against England in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 fixture after defending a target of 226 runs in Dunedin. England were off to a dismal start as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 94/5.
Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt then got into the act and stitched a partnership of 60 runs for the sixth wicket before England lost wickets in quick succession and were once again pushed on the back foot at 156/8.
Sophie Ecclestone and Kate Cross then try to rescue the side from a tricky situation with a partnership of 61 runs for the 8th wicket. But Cross’ run out in the 48th over, turned the match upside down as West Indies took one more run to bowl out England for 218. Tammy Beaumont top-scored for them with a 76-ball 48. Shamilia Connell scalped three wickets for 38 in 10 overs for West Indies.
Earlier, in the day, West Indies started off the innings well with openers Dottin and Hayley Matthews putting up 81 runs on the board for the first wicket. The Caribbean side then lost a few wickets in quick succession and were 98/4 when Campbelle and Chedean Nation steadied the ship and chipped in with a stand of 123 runs for the fifth wicket.
While Campbelle scored 66 off 80, Nation was unbeaten at 49 off 74 to take the side to 225/6 in 50 overs. Ecclestone scalped three wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs.
“It's a nice feeling. Nerve-wracking for me though. When we checked the stats at this ground, we found that we were about 10 under par. We knew we had to bowl well and field well. Really important for the lower order to perform when the top order doesn't click,” Stafanie Taylor said after the match.