Taylor fires but Windies women lose narrowly

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

West Indies suffered a blow ahead of Thursday's semi-final of the Women's World Twenty20 Championship, when they went down by nine runs to Australia yesterday.

Playing in their final match of the preliminary round at Warner Park, West Indies failed to chase down the Aussies' 133 for seven, ending on 124 for seven and sullying their previously unbeaten record.

Their loss came despite an attractive unbeaten 58 from Player of the Match, Stafanie Taylor, who threatened to snatch the game from the Aussies with a wonderful attacking display. The 18-year-old right-hander faced just 54 balls and struck four fours and two sixes in a gallant attempt to keep the Windies lasses in the contest.

taylor, britney put up fight

When the hosts slipped to 16 for two in the third over, she combined with Britney Cooper in a 46-run, third-wicket stand to put the innings back on course.

The 20-year-old Cooper got 27 from 35 balls with two fours and a six before she was bowled by left-arm spinner Shelley Nitschke at 62 for three in the 11th over.

Deandra Dottin, who scored an unbeaten century in her first match of the tournament, scored her second successive first ball duck when she was caught at the wicket off the very next delivery, attempting to make room to play through the off-side.

Taylor then found an ally in Shanel Daley with whom she shared 42 for the next wicket, but Daley was dismissed with West Indies needing 29 from 20 balls.

However, three wickets proved their undoing and it left them requiring 16 from the last over. Taylor smashed a boundary from the first ball, but the flurry of runs never came and West Indies succumbed tamely.

Meanwhile, England trounced South Africa by 56 runs at Warner Park yesterday to end an extremely disappointing campaign on a winning note.

The title-holders, already eliminated after losing their two first matches, piled up a challenging 141 for six after winning the toss and batting, and then ousted the Proteas for a miserable 85 from 17 overs.

south africa winless

With the loss, South Africa finished the tournament winless, following defeats to West Indies and Australia.

Scores: ENGLAND 141 for six off 20 overs (Lydia Greenway 34 not out, Laura Marsh 33, Jenny Gunn 21, Claire Taylor 20; Angelique Taai 1-9). SOUTH AFRICA 85 all out off 17 overs (Cri-Zelda Brits 20; Danielle Wyatt 4-11, Nicola Shaw 3-17).