Australia Women delivered a composed and clinical performance to outplay West Indies Women in the 2nd ODI at Basseterre, with the game unfolding through steady partnerships, timely breakthroughs, and a decisive all-round display led by Georgia Wareham.
The innings began with Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield walking out with intent, but West Indies struck early to keep things balanced. Voll looked positive during her 23 off 24 balls before falling at 64 in the 11th over, caught by Chinelle Henry off Ashmini Munisar. Just one ball later, Ellyse Perry was dismissed for a rare duck, leaving Australia slightly shaken at 64/2. Litchfield, however, ensured the innings didn’t lose direction, crafting a fluent 46 off 47 balls before becoming the third wicket at 74.
The responsibility then fell on Beth Mooney and captain Tahlia McGrath, who stitched a crucial 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Mooney anchored the innings with a patient 65 off 104 deliveries, while McGrath contributed 24. Their stand stabilized Australia after early setbacks, taking the score past 140 before McGrath fell in the 31st over.
West Indies found another breakthrough when Ashleigh Gardner departed for 5, but the momentum shifted again with a dynamic partnership between Wareham and Nicola Carey. Wareham’s aggressive 39 off 37 balls injected momentum, forming a 70-run stand that pushed Australia beyond 200. Even after Wareham’s dismissal at 210, Carey (30* off 25) and Alana King (26* off 17) provided a strong finish, adding quick runs in the death overs to take Australia to 269/7 in 50 overs.
For the West Indies, Hayley Matthews was the standout with the ball, claiming 3/40 in her 10 overs, maintaining control throughout. Ashmini Munisar and Afy Fletcher picked up two wickets each, while Karishma Ramharack bowled economically. Chinelle Henry and Deandra Dottin chipped in but couldn’t contain the late surge.
Chasing 270, West Indies Women started cautiously with Qiana Joseph and Matthews putting together a 57-run opening stand. Joseph scored 29 before falling to Gardner, who soon struck again to dismiss Matthews for a fighting 45 off 73 balls, leaving the hosts at 94/2.
The middle order failed to build on the start as Stafanie Taylor (18) and Dottin (0) fell in quick succession, both dismissed by Wareham, triggering a collapse. Chinelle Henry tried to counterattack with a brisk 19, but Gardner removed her to deepen the trouble at 121/5.
From there, wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Shemaine Campbelle was run out, while Jahzara Claxton fell to Alana King. The lower order showed brief resistance through Afy Fletcher, who scored a fighting 32* off 28 balls, but lacked support as wickets fell at the other end.
Australia’s bowling unit was relentless. Gardner (3/34) and Wareham (3/29) were the chief destroyers, combining control with wicket-taking ability. McGrath (2/15) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Megan Schutt and Kim Garth maintained discipline to restrict scoring opportunities.
West Indies were eventually bowled out for 179 in 46 overs, falling short by 90 runs. The match highlighted Australia Women’s depth in both batting and bowling, with contributions across the lineup and impactful partnerships at key moments.
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