The West Indies lost to England by 47 runs at Derby on Monday despite a valiant half-century from Deandra Dottin, her highest score ever against England.
The Barbadian smashed 69 from 59 deliveries but the West Indies were restricted to 116 for 6 chasing 164 for victory. No other batter got into double figures for the West Indies.
Chasing a target 24 runs more than they have ever made in a T20 match in England, the West Indies struggled early against England’s bowlers. Hayley Matthews (3) and Stafanie Taylor (8) went cheaply as Katherine Brunt, who gave up just eight runs from her four overs; Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole aided by pace and swing kept things tight.
Despite Dottin’s best efforts to accelerate the scoring rate by midway the innings, the West Indies needed 12 runs an over. After 11 overs, the West Indies were 49 for 2, and staring defeat in the face needing 115 from just 54 balls.
From there, Dottin went into full attack mode smashing Shrubsole for a six over long-on and four down to backward square. However, she and Lee-Ann Kirby were involved in a comical mix up that resulted in Kirby being run out for 7 to leave the West Indies at 61 for 3.
By the time Sophie Ecclestone bowled Dottin midway the 19th over, victory was well out of reach.
Eccelstone finished with 2 for 19 while Natalie Sciver ended with 2 for 16.
Earlier, England won the toss and chose to take first strike.
Opener Tammy Beaumont, the Player of the Match, scored a brilliant half-century that helped England to their winning total. Beaumont’s runs came off just 49 balls and included nine fours and a massive straight six as England racked up 163 for 8 from their allotment of 20 overs.
The West Indies Women were guilty of wayward bowling as England raced to 49 for 1 during the Powerplay and at one point looked as if 180 was in the offing.
Heather Knight, who scored 25 from 17 balls and Amy Jones, 24 from 16, helped push the score along helped by undisciplined bowling from Aaliyah Alleyne who gave up 25 runs from her two overs.
However, Shakira Selman 3 for 26, Stafanie Taylor 2 for 34, and Hayley Matthews 2 for 25 helped keep the score in check. Selman and Matthews took crucial wickets near the end as England lost their last five wickets for 31 runs from the final five overs.
However, by then the match was well beyond the West Indies.
The second game of the five-match T20 Vitality Series is to be played on Wednesday.