It was a nail-biting contest at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, on Tuesday when India met West Indies to play the practice match, as the Women in Blue managed to sneak in a two-run win over the Caribbeans. This match was a perfect example of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Early in the day, winning the toss and electing to bat first, India managed to put up a paltry 107-8 in 20 overs. Coming lower down the order, Shikha Pandey top-scored with 24, taking the team past the 100-run mark. India’s batting looked tentative as they exhibited a lack of confidence while playing their shots. However, credit needs to be given to the West Indian bowlers who kept the otherwise power-packed Indian batting in check. Shamilia Connell and Alisa Mohammed bowled well in tandem to scalp two wickets apiece.
Chasing a modest 108 should not have been a daunting task for the powerful West Indian batting line-up. Though they lost their opener Britney Cooper (1) cheaply, her partner Lee-Ann Kirby (42) and skipper Stafanie Taylor (16) came together to consolidate the innings. Towards the end, Hayley Matthews (25) and Chinelle Henry (17) looked to take the game away from the Indians, but Harmanpreet Kaur and co. held their nerves to sneak in a two-run victory over the West Indies. Leggie Poonam Yadav was the pick of the bowlers as she struck with 3-20 in her four overs, picking up the wickets of Matthews and Henry in the last over. At the end of 20 overs, West Indies were dwindled down for 105-7, in what turned out to be a cracker of a contest.
Indians will be relieved that they managed to register a win, on the other hand, West Indies will be disappointed with the way they planned their chase.
THRILLING WARM-UP!
Excellent comeback by Windies in the 19th over (scored 19 Runs) but couldn’t cross the line. India defeats West Indies by just 2 Runs. An excellent last over from Poonam Yadav 👏#INDvWI #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/onSd8g6SeE
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 18, 2020
Loves all things female cricket