‘Batting has done it for us’: Windies women defeat Australia for first World T20 title

Openers Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor figured in a record partnership Sunday to help the West Indies defeat Australia by eight wickets and clinch their first title at the women’s World Twenty20.

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor celebrates with the trophy during the Women's ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Final match between Australia and West Indies at Eden Gardens on April 3, 2016 in Kolkata, India. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Associated Press

Apr 03, 2016

KOLKATA // Openers Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor figured in a record partnership Sunday to help the West Indies defeat Australia by eight wickets and clinch their first title at the women’s World Twenty20.

Matthews struck 66 off 45 balls with six fours and three sixes and Taylor 59 off 57 with eight fours in a clinical chase that saw them finish on 149-2 in 19.3 overs in reply to Australia’s 148-5.

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The pair added 120 runs, a record for any wicket for the West Indies.

The chase was on track throughout as the West Indies reached 50 in 6.4 overs and 100 in 13.3.

Captain Taylor, who was dismissed within five runs of victory, said she had been encouraged by the men's team that was to play England later in the final.

“I’ve been waiting for this a long time and it has come at the right time,” Taylor said. “The batting has done it for us. It was fantastic to know that the men were with us. Captain Darren Sammy sent me a text this morning that we were going to win.”

It was the first win in nine games for the West Indies against Australia, who were looking for a fourth straight title.

Earlier, captain Meg Lanning and opener Elyse Villani struck 52 runs each to propel Australia.

Electing to bat, Australia lost the early wicket of Alyssa Healy (4) but Lanning and Villani added 77 runs for the second wicket to put the West Indies bowlers under pressure.

Lanning struck eight fours off 49 balls in her ninth half-century while Villani had nine fours off 37 balls in her eighth half-century.

Batting at No 4 Ellyse Perry chipped in with a useful 28 off 23 balls, which included two sixes.

“We probably did not get the result that we wanted but congratulations to West Indies for the way they batted,” Lanning said. “We felt we were a little short, 160 would have been nice. But if we had bowled well we would have defended.”

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