W I women wins warm up campaign

West Indies women won their final warm-up game ahead of their campaign in the World 20/20 Championship when they beat New Zealand by three wickets off the last ball yesterday at St Mary’s Park in St Kitts.



West Indies chased down their target of 154 to complete a successful warm-up phase with their first tournament match carded for tomorrow against South Africa.



The hosts were propelled by a top score of 31 from Deandra Dottin while opener Juliana Nero got 20, in a stand of 51 for the third wicket that hauled the Windies from 39 for two in the seventh over.



Needing seven off the last two balls, captain Merissa Aguilleira blasted a six off the penultimate delivery before getting a single off the last ball.



Off-spinning captain Amy Watkins was the best bowler for New Zealand with three for 23.



Earlier, the left-handed Watkins carved out 56 from 36 balls with eight fours and a six to rally her side to 153 for seven.



Also yesterday in St Kitts, title-holders England finished their warm-up phase unbeaten by completing a convincing 79-run win over Sri Lanka and Australia beat Pakistan by 82 runs to also tune up nicely for the tournament.



The women\'s 20/20 Championship opens tomorrow and all the first round matches will be played at Warner Park in St Kitts. West Indies are drawn in Group A, with England, Australia, and South Africa. Group B includes, Sri Lanka New Zealand, India and Pakistan.



The semis will be played at Beausejour in St Lucia and the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on May 16.