The 2022 edition of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup opener couldn't have been more thrilling as West Indies shocked the tournament host New Zealand by three runs in the last over drama on Friday (February 4).
Riding on Hayley Matthews' cracking 119 off 128, the Women in Maroon posted a competitive total of 259. In reply, the White Ferns rallied from 162/6 to the final over where they needed just six runs from six balls with three wickets in hand. However, West Indies seamer Deandra Dottin dismissed Katey Martin (44) and Jess Kerr (25) - who had put on 40 for the eighth wicket - and then ran out Hannah Rowe (1) as New Zealand were restricted to just 256 despite Sophie Devine's fighting 108 off 127.
Matthews' blistering knock, which was loaded with sixteen fours and a six, propelled West Indies to put up a 260-run target after they were asked to bat in ideal conditions at the picturesque Bay Oval.
However, New Zealand's skipper Sophie Devine too dazzled with a century of her own but the host were rarely on top of the chase, thanks to Matthews claiming 2/41 with her off-spin. After Devine was brilliantly caught and bowled for 108 by Chinelle Henry, wicketkeeper Katey Martin was left to marshal the tail.
Martin's hitting got the equation down to six from the final over, only for Deandra Dottin to take the ball for the first time and trap Martin lbw for 44 with a pinpoint yorker. Dottin then had Jess Kerr caught at mid-off and when Fran Jonas was run-out off the next ball, West Indies had won by three runs.
It was a suitably dramatic curtain-raiser to a tournament delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, whetting the appetite for the remaining 30 games up to the final in Christchurch on 3 April. Matthews and Dottin were stars of the triumph at the 2016 T20 World Cup, but West Indies have been a shadow of that side since - they won only two games at the last 50-over World Cup in 2017.
However, with legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh in charge, this was a resurgent display, sparked by Matthews' glorious innings. Along with opening partner Dottin, Matthews immediately attacked the New Zealand bowling with sweet timing and classical strokeplay. She struck 16 fours and a six, receiving support from captain Stafanie Taylor, who made 30, Shemain Campbelle's 20 and 36 by Chedean Nation.
West Indies were hampered in the field by five dropped catches - two of which reprieved Devine, who also could have been run out - and they looked to have wasted their chance in the face of Martin's late assault.
But Dottin, a superb death bowler hampered by a shoulder injury in recent years, demanded the ball and made a match-winning impact. Martin was pinned by a searing inswinger, Kerr miscued to fall for 25 and 17-year-old Jonas was run-out without facing after being sent back to the non-striker's end. It is a hugely disappointing result for New Zealand, who are likely to by vying with South Africa and India for two semi-final places.
