West Indies Women Stun Australia With Phenomenal Chase

By Nick Powell
Australia Women's run of 3 straight World T20 wins came to a juddering end as the West Indies Women picked up their first title after Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews' sensational opening partnership helped guide them to a dramatic win with their highest successful T20 chase in their history.


Australia, despite losing the early wicket of Alyssa Healy, flew out the blocks as they raced to 63 from 7 over with a run rate of 9. From there, the West Indies managed to slow their opponents progress, but not before both Elyse Villiani reached 50.

She was soon out, but Captain Meg Lanning herself managed to earn a half-century also as Australia charged towards 150. They were denied that total through an extraordinary final over from Dottin, but Australia had a big total on the board at a rate of 7.40.

The West Indies didn't seem as if they had any hope of doing it, especially when they had just 3 off the first two overs, but the momentum shifted their way in a matter of overs and at the halfway stage of their chase it was their game to lose.

Matthews and Taylor earned 50s on their own and after moving them onto 117 without loss with 5 overs remaining they were set to complete the impossible.

And despite losing two wickets, they got home with three balls remaining after a shocking missed run out they got home to win their first title, in the first championship they had reached a semi-final.

Australia were clear favourites, they were going for their fourth straight title, and it was a big surprise the Windies had made it this far.

But it was the latter that made a big early breakthrough. Alyssa Healy scooped straight back into the hands of 18 year old spinner Hayley Matthews and Australia were under some pressure.

The next partnership seemed to be the match-winner however. Short, wide bowling was gifting the two brilliant chances and Villani especially was exploiting it. With the Australians under no pressure and really dominating, there was tension amongst the Windies players who looked incredibly frustrated.

They managed to limit them to singles but Australia were well-ahead of the game and as a result didn't need to smash it. Villani went for 52 off just 36 but Ellyse Perry, who had hit Australia's only tournament 6 and had the best strike rate, was now out in the middle.

Lanning moved onto 50, and Perry had two more sixes as Australia really started to get control. They reached 147-3 heading into the last over and it seemed that they could even reach 160 or 170 with Dottin, who had struggled, bowling the last.

She managed to hold off any charge with a stunning final over however, after 3 dots and the cherished wicket of Perry, new batter Osborne was run out and Australia made just one off the final delivery to finish on 148-5.

Despite that over, very few would have felt they could have chased what was a very impressive score. The pitch was useful though for the bat, and they made a good start.

The first couple of overs weren't quick, but soon they had the 50 partnership from 40 deliveries and while they were below the required rate were still in a very strong position having not lost a wicket.

By 13 overs, they had reached 100 runs and were suddenly the favourites. Neither batsmen had gone. Australia had had three brilliant chances, firstly through a direct hit, then Ellyse Perry dropped Stafanie Taylor's belt back down the ground and when Matthews somehow got back, beating the fast glovework of Healy, who attempted a stumping it seemed as if it would be the Windies' day.

Both players had reached 50 playing some clever shots, well placed ones and some making it to the rope or over it thanks to raw power. They were in full control on 117-0. With 5 overs to go they need 32 from 30, and had all of their wickets in hand. It was there's to lose and they were big favourites.

They eventually lost their first wicket, 18 year old Matthews who was seriously struggling with fatigue pulled Kristen Beams to Alex Blackwell at mid-wicket and had to trudge off, but Australia needed a lot more to be back in the game.

The Windies, whose nerves were ramping up and the pace of chase had slowed to singles but they still only needed 14 off the last two overs. And after Dottin hit consecutive fours the finishing touches looked to have been put.

Stefanie Taylor drove straight to point to end her day very soon after, but with 3 required from the last over, they were surely set to do it.

And they did, after picking up a single at the start, they tried to scamper a suicidal single, the run-out attempt was missed and they were able to run another to finish off the chase and win the incredible win.