Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Day 2, Round-up

The ICC Womens T20 World Cup continued its trail of dishing out exciting thrillers for the audience. In the first match of the day, Thailand Women and West Indies Women locked horns at Perth in what turned out to be a lop-sided affair. Thailand Women, taking their inexperience into consideration, could only amass 78 runs on the board in their stipulated 20 overs.

It was all about single-digit scores for most of Thailand Women’s batting force, barring their wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai who amassed 33 crucial runs on the board in 48 deliveries. Apart from Koncharoenkai, no other batswoman was successful to keep the scoreboard clicking as the West Indies bowling force wreaked havoc on a relatively inexperienced batting lineup.

Skipper Stafanie Taylor emerged as the talisman for West Indies Women as she scalped three wickets while conceding only 13 runs in her spell. Other five bowlers which were tried by West Indies Women also plucked one wicket each to their name. Considering the mediocre that Stafanie Taylor-led side had to chase, most fans anticipated it to be a cakewalk for them.

However, West Indies Women were in no hurry to finish the match as they achieved the target in the 17th over. The Women in Maroon embraced a gritty approach as they were unfazed by the required run-rate. Skipper Taylor dazzled with the bat too as her 26-run knock paved way for her side to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign on a winning note. She was well assisted by wicketkeeper Campbelle, who amassed 25 runs off 27 deliveries to fill in the final plugholes and steer West Indies Women to the triumph.

Sophie Devine emerged as New Zealand Women’s talisman

Meanwhile, New Zealand Women, who were touted as favourites to clinch their encounter against Sri Lanka, duly obliged. The Kiwi Women registered a thumping seven-wicket victory against the Islanders. After winning the toss and putting Sri Lanka Women to bat first, the Kiwi side restricted Chamari Atapattu and Co. to a modest total of 127 runs. Hayley Jensen provided New Zealand with regular wickets as she scalped three wickets while conceding 16 runs in his spell. She was also assisted by Amelia Kerr, who scalped two and conceded 21 runs in her four overs.

Coming on to New Zealand’s chase, skipper Sophie Devine led her side from the front as she smashed a quick-fire 75 to propel her side to a flying start. The skipper ensured New Zealand Women of a victory by staying glued to the crease till the end. She was joined by Maddy Green’s 29-run cameo as the Kiwi Women punished Sri Lanka for their poor fielding and achieved the target with 14 deliveries to spare.

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