The West Indies Women have beaten the White Ferns by 23 runs in the opening match of the Twenty20 Tri-Series at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Deandra Dottin made 52 to push the home side through to 104 for six in the first innings, before Anisa Mohammad claimed figures of five for 19 to dismiss the White Ferns for 81.
The visitors pursuit got off to a bad start when captain Suzie Bates was run out for eight in the third over. Three further cheap wickets had the White Ferns in more trouble at 31 for four and the required run-rate also began to become a problem.
A fifth wicket-stand of 40 between Rachel Priest (22) and Amy Satterthwaite (31) brought the New Zealand side back into the game, with their partnership coming from just five overs. The White Ferns required a further 34 runs from 24 balls.
However, the loss of both established batsmen in the space of three balls effectively ended their chances, with the West Indies cleaning up the tail quickly. On the final ball of the innings Sian Ruck was dismissed, confirming the hosts victory.
Earlier, Deandra Dottin had helped the West Indies to recover from a shaky start with an important knock of 52.
Coming in with her side at 18 for three after 5.1 overs, Dottin began slowly before launching an assault on the White Ferns bowling attack, hitting two sixes on her way to a half-century off 46 balls.
Small cameos helped her along the way, with Kyshona Knight’s 20 the next biggest contribution.
Ruck and Nicola Browne picked up two wickets apiece, while Bates also grabbed a scalp.
The White Ferns play England on Thursday in Barbados.
