Joseph, Dottin lead record-setting West Indies

Buoyed by explosive batting performances from Qiana Joseph and Deandra Dottin, the West Indies posted a near-record total of 201-6, leaving Bangladesh with no chance in the chase in the second T20 International at Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis on Wednesday.

The home team had only made more than 200 once before, and this was their first time accomplishing the trick at home. The feat was all the more remarkable given that only Joseph crossed the 50-run barrier.

After losing the toss, West Indies put on a dominant batting display. They became the first team to score 200 against Bangladesh in a T20I. The 24-year-old Saint Lucian, Joseph, was relentless, smashing 63 off 36 balls with nine fours and two sixes. It was her second half-century in 15 matches in this format, after she hit her maiden One Day International against these same opponents last week.

Dottin, after scoring a record-setting half-century in the previous match, just missed out on lowering the record further. If anything, the Bajan sensation known as The Universe Boss was even more destructive, hammering an unbeaten 49 off just 20 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes. Hayley Matthews chipped in with 27, and Shabika Gajnabi added 24.

Bangladesh never looked comfortable in the chase, with opener Sharmin Akhter Supta top-scoring with just 22 off 25 balls. Only three other batters reached double figures. The visitors managed only 95-9 in their 20 overs, handing West Indies their biggest victory by runs in T20I’s, as they won by 106 runs, and sealed the series with a match to spare.

Cherry-Ann Fraser, Afy Fletcher, and captain Hayley Matthews each took two wickets, while Zaida James and Ahsmini Munisar claimed one apiece.

West Indies, winners of the One Day International series at the same venue last week, go for the T20I sweep on Friday evening.

(TF)