Source : ABC NEWS
Australia have powered to a 103-run win over the West Indies, despite Stafanie Taylor’s breakthrough one-day century.
Opener Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 77 and five other teammates reached the 40s, as Australia made 341 from 49.5 overs on Saturday (AEDT) in St Kitts.
It is a record women’s one-day team total in the Caribbean.
After sweeping the three-game T20 series, the tourists then restricted the West Indies to 8-238 from their 50 overs in the first of three one-dayers.
With the result beyond doubt, the interest late in the game was whether Taylor could score her first one-day ton against Australia.
She scored 105 not out from 129 balls, bringing up the century with a boundary off Georgia Wareham in the 47th over.
Her knock, featuring 10 fours and a six, is Taylor’s eighth one-day international century and her first since 2021.
But her nervous 90s nearly ended in disaster — she went for a quick single on 91 and Taylor would have been run out had Wareham’s throw at the stumps been accurate.
Despite Taylor’s century, Wareham was named player of the match for her 42 from 21 balls batting at No.7, with five fours and two sixes.
Wareham also took 1-39 from 10 overs, while Kim Garth removed the openers on the way to 3-37 from her 10.
It was a recast Australian one-day team, with five changes from the XI that beat India at the start of this month in Hobart.
Beth Mooney’s late withdrawal with quad tightness meant Tahlia Wilson was brought in for her one-day debut.
Wilson impressed as wicketkeeper, with the highlight her sharp stumping of Aaliyah Allene off Garth.
AAP
