Indian spinners restrict Windies to 183/8 in women’s World Cup

Taunton, June 29: A disciplined effort from the Indian women's cricket team bowlers restricted the West Indies to 183/8 in their second ICC World Cup group match at the County Ground here on Thursday.

Put in to bat, the Caribbean team got off to a slow start with opener Hayley Matthews (43) and Felicia Walters (9) putting on 29 runs but ran out of ideas once the spinners were employed by India skipper Mithali Raj.

The Indian spinners — Poonam Yadav (2/19), Deepti Sharma (2/27), Harmanpreet Kaur (2/42) and Ekta Bisht (1/23) — shared seven wickets among themselves to rattle the West Indian batting line-up.

Indian wicketkeeper Sushma Verma also deserved due credit for the quick dismissals, as she effected as many as four stumpings during the innings.

Opener Mathews looked in good touch during her 57-ball knock, laced with seven boundaries. 

While the middle order failed to provide any resistance to the slower bowlers, Shanel Daley (33) and Afy Fletcher (36 not out) chipped in with a 30-run partnership for the seventh wicket — the highest for the West Indian women.

Indian women are on a roll in the ongoing edition of the World Cup, having surprised hosts England by 35 runs in their opening match. The West Indies, however, lost their opening tie to Australia.

Brief Scores: West Indies women 183/8 (Hayley Matthews 43, Afy Fletcher 36 not out, Shanel Daley 33, Poonam Yadav 2/19, Deepti Sharma 2/27) vs Indian women.