The third ODI between Australia Women and West Indies Women in Basseterre unfolded as a one-sided yet professionally executed chase, highlighting the gulf in consistency between the two sides. After being asked to bat first, the West Indies Women attempted to build their innings cautiously, but regular wickets prevented any real momentum from taking shape.
The innings began with Hayley Matthews anchoring the top order, crafting a steady 34 off 48 balls. She found brief support from Deandra Dottin, who played a more aggressive hand with 22 off just 19 deliveries. Their early partnership showed promise, adding 38 runs before the first breakthrough came when Matthews was dismissed at 4.9 overs. From there, wickets began to fall at regular intervals.
Shunelle Sawh struggled to find fluency, managing just 3 runs, while Stafanie Taylor added 5 in a slow passage of play. Chinelle Henry tried to stabilize things with a composed 42 off 54 balls, forming small but crucial partnerships in the middle overs, including a 22-run stand with Rashada Williams and a 24-run effort with Realeanna Grimmond, who contributed 20.
However, the inability to convert these starts into bigger partnerships hurt the hosts. The lower middle order collapsed under pressure, with Jannillea Glasgow failing to score, Jahzara Claxton adding 4, and Afy Fletcher dismissed for a duck. Karishma Ramharack and Ashmini Munisar offered minimal resistance, scoring 0 and 2, respectively. West Indies Women were eventually bowled out for 136 in 35.4 overs, with extras contributing just 4 runs.
Australian women’s bowling unit delivered a clinical performance. Alana King was the standout, producing a brilliant spell of 5 for 19 in her 10 overs, dismantling the middle and lower order with precision. Ashleigh Gardner supported well with 2 wickets for 29, while Nicola Carey and Tahlia McGrath chipped in with a wicket each. Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham maintained control, keeping the scoring rate in check and building pressure through disciplined lines.
Chasing a modest target of 137, Australia Women approached the innings with composure and authority. Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield opened the innings, adding a steady 50-run partnership before Voll was dismissed for 23 off 22 balls at 8.2 overs. That was the only breakthrough the West Indies could manage. Litchfield then took control of the chase, playing a fluent knock of 68 not out off 56 balls, combining elegance with controlled aggression.
Ellyse Perry joined her and ensured there were no further hiccups. The pair stitched together an unbroken 87-run partnership, guiding Australia home comfortably. Perry remained unbeaten on 33 off 40 deliveries, playing the perfect supporting role as Australia reached 137 for 1 in just 19.4 overs, sealing victory by 9 wickets with a massive 182 balls remaining.
West Indies’ bowling effort lacked penetration. Ashmini Munisar picked up the lone wicket, finishing with 1 for 35 in 6 overs. Hayley Matthews was economical but wicketless, while bowlers like Glasgow, Claxton, and Fletcher struggled to apply sustained pressure. Karishma Ramharack was the most economical among them but couldn’t break the partnership.
It was a dominant performance by Australia Women, marked by disciplined bowling and a polished chase. The match flow clearly reflected their control at every stage, from restricting West Indies to a below-par total to finishing the game with clinical efficiency.
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