3rd April 20216, 9 Years Ago, The Stafanie Taylor-led West Indies stunned Formidable Meg Lanning’s Australia to clinch their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
Nine years ago, on April 3rd, 2016, the West Indian Women’s Cricket Team created history by clinching their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. Under the dynamic leadership of Stafanie Taylor, the team showcased resilience, skill, and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cricket. This triumphant journey is not just a testament to their prowess on the field but also a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.
Today, as we look back on that triumphant moment, we celebrate not just a victory but a milestone in the journey of women’s cricket. The West Indies Women’s Team, under Stafanie Taylor’s guidance, showed the world what can be achieved through determination and teamwork, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire both on and off the field.
Here is a flashback on the Triumphant campaign on the West Indian women’s team.
Match 1: 16th March 2016 Vs Pakistan. (Chennai).
The Stafanie Taylor-led side entered the 2016 edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by India as the dark horses of the competition. They kickstarted their T20 World Cup campaign with a nervy 4-run win against the Sana Mir-led Pakistan. Skipper Sana Mir inserted the Women in Maroon to bat first after winning the toss.
West Indies just managed to surpass the 100-run mark courtesy of vital contributions from skipper Stafanie Taylor (40 off 48 balls) top-scoring with the bat for her side, alongside Shemaine Campbelle (14 off 12 balls), wicket-keeper Merissa Aguilleira (15 off 22 balls), and Stacy-Ann King (12* off 15 balls). Anam Amin (4-0-16-4), and Nida Dar (4-0-17-0) were the star of the show with the ball for Pakistan.
The West Indian bowlers were clinical as they managed to restrict Pakistan at 99/5 in their quota of 20 overs. Anisa Mohammed (4-1-25-3), Hayley Matthews (4-0-14-0), and skipper Stafanie Taylor (4-0-16-0) were sensational with the ball for their side.
Match 2: 20th March 2016 Vs Bangladesh. (Chennai).
A vital dominating performance against the Jahanara Alam-led Bangladesh, which saw them clinch the game by 49 runs sent a clear message the maroon brigade from the Caribbean was in for a fight in the competition. West Indies posted a competitive total of 148/4 in their quota of 20 overs after skipper Stafanie Taylor won the toss and opted to bat first in Chennai. Collective contributions from Hayley Matthews (41 off 42 balls), skipper Stafanie Taylor (40 off 41 balls), Deandra Dottin (24 off 11 balls), and Stacy-Ann King (20* off 15 balls) propelled them to a challenging total.
The West Indian bowlers came to the party as they wrapped up the Bangladesh innings for 99 in 18.3 overs. Skipper Stafanie Taylor (3-0-13-3), Hayley Matthews (4-0-16-2), and Deandra Dottin (4-0-17-2) were the star performers with the ball for the West Indies. Skipper Stafanie Taylor was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive all-round contributions.
Match 3: 24th March 2016 Vs England. (Dharamsala)
The cricketing world took further notice when the Stafanie Taylor-led West Indies pushed the Charlotte Edwards-led England on the knife edge, before conceding the game by just one wicket in a last-ball thriller at the picture-esque HPCA Stadium in Dharmasala.
West Indies posted a decent total of 108/4 in their quota of 20 overs after skipper Stafanie Taylor yet again won the toss and opted to bat first. Skipper Stafanie Taylor (35 off 47 balls), Shaquana Quintyne (29 off 28 balls), and Deandra Dottin (22 off 30 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the West Indies.
However, a spirited performance from the bowling unit led by Afy Fletcher (4-0-12-3), and Shaquana Quintyne (4-1-19-3) ensured they make the English batters sweat for each run. Skipper Stafanie Taylor (3-0-18-2) also chipped in with the ball for her side, leading from the front. It eventually didn’t prove to be enough for them to get those two points.
Match 4: 27th March 2016 Vs India. (Mohali)
Another nervy three-run win against one of the tournament favourites, India led by skipper Mithali Raj boosted the morale of the Stafanie Taylor-led unit. The win gave them the hopes of achieving something remarkable. On the back of pivotal contributions from skipper Stafanie Taylor (47 off 45 balls), and Deandra Dottin (45 off 40 balls) West Indies posted another competitive total of 114/8 in their quota of 20 overs, after the Indian skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and inserted them to bat first.
The West Indian bowlers held their nerves as they held India at 111/9 in their quota of 20 overs, clinching the game by three runs. Deandra Dottin (4-0-16-3), Afy Fletcher (4-0-15-2), and Shamilia Connel (4-1-15-1) were exceptional with the ball for their side. Deandra Dottin was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive all-round show. The win ensured them a top-two finish in the points table at the end of the league stages of the tournament with 6 points from 4 games.
Match 5: 31st March 2016 Vs New Zealand (Wankhede)
West Indies were about to face an in-form New Zealand led by skipper Suzie Bates in the 2nd semi-final at the Iconic Wankhede Stadium. The Stafanie Taylor-led side stepped up to the occasion as they sealed a memorable win by 6 runs to book their spot in the final of the mega event.
Brtiney Cooper (61 off 48 balls) led the charge with a brilliant half-century. She was well supported by crucial contributions from skipper Stafanie Taylor (25 off 26 balls), Deandra Dottin (20 off 17 balls), and wicket-keeper batter Merissa Aguilleira (15* off 10 balls) propelling them to a challenging total of 143/6 in their quota of 20 overs, after New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates won the toss and inserted them to bat first.
Skipper Stafanie Taylor’s (4-0-26-3) experience came to the fore as she rotated her bowlers well. Afy Fletcher (4-0-20-1), and Deandra Dottin (4-0-29-0) kept the White Ferns batters in check restricting them to 137/8, as a result, sealing the game by 6 runs. Brtiney Cooper was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-defining half-century (61 off 48 balls) with the bat for her side.
Match 6: 3rd April 2016 Vs Australia (Eden Gardens)
The grand finale against the formidable and invincible Australian outfit led by the legendary skipper Meg Lanning was the ultimate challenge for the Stafanie Taylor-led West Indies even more so as the game had moved to a reserve day. And guess what, they punched above their weights as a collective unit to etch their name into the history books as they clinched their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title by thrashing the Australians by a dominant 8-wicket margin with three balls to spare, chasing a challenging total of 149 in a high pressure final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The final against Australia was a spectacle of grit and talent. Hayley Matthews stole the show with a phenomenal all-round performance, being awarded the Player of the Match. She scored an impressive 66 runs off just 45 balls, combining batting prowess with a disciplined bowling spell that yielded one wicket for just 13 runs. This display of skill and composure under pressure encapsulated the team’s spirit throughout the tournament.
At the heart of the West Indies’ victory was Stafanie Taylor, whose leadership and performance earned her the Player of the Tournament award. Her remarkable consistency with the bat saw her top the tournament’s run charts with 246 runs at an average of 41 across six innings. Additionally, Taylor claimed 8 wickets, making her the second-highest wicket-taker for her side. Her ability to excel in both disciplines was instrumental in driving the team’s success and motivating her teammates to perform at their best.
The West Indian win was not just about individual performances it was proper collective brilliance from a unit hungry for glory at the global stage. This blend of experience and youth ensured that the team remained competitive in every match. The title win marked a pivotal moment for West Indian women’s cricket, elevating the sport’s profile and inspiring a new wave of young cricketers. It demonstrated that with dedication, teamwork, and strong leadership, even the most daunting challenges could be overcome.
Nine years on, the legacy of the West Indies’ first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title continues to resonate globally. It has contributed significantly to the growth of women’s cricket, challenging perceptions and pushing boundaries. Stafanie Taylor’s leadership has been particularly influential, highlighting the importance of role models in sports. Her success has encouraged more women to take up the game, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant cricket community worldwide.
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