Australia Women crushed West Indies Women by 103 runs in the first ODI of a three-match series at Saint Kitts. After being asked to bat first, Australia Women posted a massive 341 in 49.5 overs. Phoebe Litchfield scored a superb half-century, while Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey added valuable contributions to take the team to a huge total. The visitors delivered a strong all-round performance and set a new record for the highest women’s ODI total in the Caribbean.

Afy Fletcher (3/83 in 10 overs) was the most successful bowler for West Indies Women, while Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor picked up two wickets each.

In reply, West Indies Women kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never looked comfortable in the chase. Stafanie Taylor played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 105 off 129 balls, but her effort was not enough in the end. Kim Garth (3/37 in 10 overs) was the standout bowler for Australia Women, while Ashleigh Gardner chipped in with two wickets. With this dominant win, Australia Women took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Litchfield Leads Strong Batting Effort

Opener Phoebe Litchfield scored a team-high 77. In addition, five other Australian batters contributed with scores in the 40s, helping the team post a massive total of 341.

At one stage, Australia reached 166 for 1 in the 24th over and looked set for an even bigger score. However, they lost three wickets for 20 runs in a short period, including Litchfield, who was caught at long-off.

Carey and Molineux Stabilise Innings

After the brief collapse, Nicola Carey and captain Sophie Molineux rebuilt the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership. Although Molineux struggled to score freely, Carey played confidently.

Carey came close to her maiden ODI half-century but fell for 49 after missing a reverse sweep against Afy Fletcher.

West Indies Fall Short Despite Taylor’s Century

In reply, West Indies managed 238 for 8 in their 50 overs. However, Stafanie Taylor delivered a remarkable innings, scoring an unbeaten 105 off 129 balls.

She reached her century with a boundary off Georgia Wareham in the 47th over. Her knock included 10 fours and a six, marking her eighth ODI century and her first since 2021.

However, Taylor had a close call in the 90s. She attempted a quick single on 91 and would have been run out if Wareham’s throw had hit the stumps.

Wareham Shines with All-Round Performance

Despite Taylor’s century, Georgia Wareham earned the Player of the Match award. She played a quickfire knock of 42 off 21 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.

In addition, Wareham contributed with the ball, taking 1 for 39. Meanwhile, Kim Garth led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 37, including key early wickets.