CAPE TOWN, South Africa, CMC – West Indies Women’s wretched form showed little signs of turning around after they slipped to a 32-run defeat to New Zealand Women in their official warm-up match in preparation for the ICC Twenty World Cup.
Chasing a modest 124, West Indies Women were restricted to 91 for seven from their 20 overs, Shemaine Campbelle top-scoring with 26 from 29 deliveries and Chaldean Nation scoring 23 from 19 balls on her return from injury.
Other than for captain Hayley Matthews with 15, no other batter reached double figures in a worrying sign for the Caribbean side ahead of their opening game of the World Cup next Saturday against England.
Former captain and the side’s marquee batsman Stafanie Taylor did not feature, her fitness remaining in doubt despite her inclusion in the tournament squad.
“The batters didn’t step up for us. It wasn’t a difficult total to get,” said Campbell.
“I’m happy with my run today as I wanted to get this time in the middle heading into the main competition.
“The bowlers had a good run today, they hit some good areas, but the backend of our bowling needs some work, but I’m not worried before our first official match on the eleventh.”
Choosing to bowl, West Indies Women restricted New Zealand Women to 123 for five off 20 overs, wicketkeeper Maddy Green lashing an unbeaten 47 from 37 deliveries with four fours.
Captain Suzie Bates chipped 30 from 35 balls, while Brooke Halliday struck 24 from 25.
The innings limped at 32 for three in the seventh over before Bates put on 26 for the third wicket with Green, who then added a 56 for the fifth wicket with Halliday to lead the recovery.
In reply, West Indies were floundering on 25 for three in the eighth over before Campbell and Henry propped up the wicket in a 51-run, fourth wicket stand.
Once they were separated, three wickets went down for eight runs in 21 balls to derail the run chase.
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