Injury concerns for Taylor, Nation after defeat by SA in third ODI

Two members of the West Indies Women's team were taken to hospital yesterday after they were injured during the third One-Day International against South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday.

The West Indies Women lost the match by 96 runs under the Duckworth Lewis method, but the regional side's camp will be more concerned for the well-being of their captain, Stafanie Taylor, and batter, Chedean Nation.

Nation had to be stretchered off during the South African innings in the 40th over when the St Elizabeth native fell heavily to the turf while attempting to stop a boundary. Not too long before that, Nation was on the receiving end after appearing to jam her shoulder in the turf trying to make another stop.

Both incidents took their toll and medics spent just over ten minutes attending to Nation who was then taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.

Captain Taylor was struck on the helmet from a Nadine De Klerk bouncer in the 14th over of the West Indies innings, with the blow said to have shaken up the Windies skipper.

Taylor, who was then on 13, continued to bat, however, the effects of the blow saw her coming off the field. She was deemed to have suffered a concussion and was replaced by Aaliyah Alleyne.

Vice-captain Anisa Mohammed is keeping her fingers crossed that both players can pull through with the crucial series decider coming up on Sunday.

“The doctors will have to reassess them tomorrow and then we will be able to give an update on both players,” said Mohammed.

In the meantime, South Africa posted their highest total against the West Indies after their innings closed on 299 for eight. Opener Laura Wolvaardt scored 117 while captain Sune Luus made 56 and Chloe Tryon 43.

Pacer Shamillia Connell impressed by picking up four wickets for 54 for the Windies, who eventually folded for 203 in 44.4 overs.

Left-hander Kycia Knight top-scored with 69 from 94 balls with the next best score being 18 from concussion substitute Alleyne.

Pacer Shabnim Ismael was the pick of the bowlers with four for 37 for the home side.

With the series level at one-all, Mohammed highlighted a few things that have to go right on Sunday if the regional women are to come away with the series win.

"We have to improve on our fielding because Thursday was one of our worst days in the field in quite a while. We also need to bowl in better areas, especially when the batters are coming so hard at us," said Mohammed.