India kick off ICC Women's World Cup with convincing win over West Indies
India, led by Mithali Raj, defeated West Indies by a whopping 105 runs in their ICC Women’s World Cup opener at Brabourne Stadium yesterday. The Indian team made optimum use of home conditions with opener Thirush Kamini scoring a fluent 146-ball 100 to help the hosts post a total of 284-6 in the stipulated 50 overs after West Indies skipper Merissa Aguilleira elected to bowl. The 22-year-old Chennai-born Kamini scored her maiden hundred and also became the first Indian woman to score a century in a World Cup.
Wow! India’s Niranjana Nagarajan (centre) is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of West Indian cricketer Deandra Dottin at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. Pic/AFP
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Kamini put on a record opening wicket partnership of 175 runs with local girl Poonam Raut (72).
Raut provided a good start as she hit seven fours before being trapped leg before by pacer Shanel Daley. Useful contributions from former skipper Jhulan Goswami (36) and Harmanpreet Kaur (36) helped India reach 284. West Indies were bowled out for 179 in 44.3 overs.
Dangerous Dottin
Deandra Dottin looked dangerous with her 39 off 16 balls but Niranjana Nagarajan trapped her leg before wicket. “It was a good way to start the tournament. Thirush Kamini batted really well and her partnership with Poonam was very important. Dottin looked dangerous, but it was some good bowling by Niranjana that got us her wicket,” said skipper Mithali after the win.
Thirush Kamini celebrates her ton against West Indies in the ICC Women’s World Cup opener yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK
“The pitch was an absolute delight to bat on. The fact that Poonam and me have played together in a lot of tournaments came in handy here,”
said Kamini.
Brief Scores
India: 284 for six in 50 overs (Thirush Kamini 100, Poonam Raut 72, Jhulan Goswami 36 Harmanpreet Kaur 36; Deandra Dottin 3-32)
West Indies: 179 all out in 44.3 overs (D Dottin 39, Shanel Daley 28; N Niranjana 3-52, Jhulan Goswami 2-13)u00a0
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