New Zealand vs West Indies
In what was a thrilling start to the ICC ODI World Cup, West Indies just about managed to restrict New Zealand three runs short of the target at Bay Oval, thanks to a brilliant last over from Deandra Dottin. Hayley Matthews was adjudged Player of the Match for her 119.
New Zealand needed six off the last over. Two set batters, Katey martin and Jess Kerr, were at the crease. It was their game to lose. But Dottin got both in three balls before running out Fran Jonas to seal the match.
Sophie Devine started the World Cup with a 127-ball 108 to keep New Zealand in the chase. She forged a 76-run stand with Amy Satterthwaite (31) before the latter got out to Anisa Mohammed. Devine reached her hundred in the 41st over but could only add eight more before giving away an easy return catch to Chinelle Henry.
Earlier, Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr picked a wicket each in their opening spells to reduce West Indies to 39/2. Stafanie Taylor and Matthews stabilised the innings with a 66-run stand. Matthews upped her tempo after reaching triple-figure mark, hitting a six off Sophie Devine and two consecutive fours off Tahuhu, but New Zealand pulled things back, conceding 111 off the last 20 overs.
West Indies 259/9 in 50 overs (Hayley Matthews 119; Lea Tahuhu 3-19) beat New Zealand 256 in 49.5 overs (Sophie Devine 108; Hayley Matthews 2-41) by 3 runs. Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews