Dubai, January 15, 2023 (PPI-OT):West Indies had to fight hard, but they did exactly that to hold off a spirited Ireland challenge in their ICC Under19 Women’s T20 World Cup group clash at the North-West University Oval on Sunday. They were led by Zaida James, who starred with bat and ball, to give the popular Windies a winning start to their campaign.
Having been put in to bat by Irish skipper Amy Hunter, the West Indies scrambled together 125 for three in their allotted overs, on a surface that played on the slow side. Ireland didn’t help themselves, as they conceded 21 extras – a figure that would come back to haunt them. 18 of those were wides, and that helped the islanders put up a total that would ultimately be just out of reach for the Irish. There was a fine batting effort from opening batter Zaida James, who batted until the start of the 18th over. She held the innings together with a steady 52 from 57 balls.
She struck eight fours in her stay and got fine support from Naijanni Cumberbatch (21 not out). For the Irish, Freya Sargent was the pick of the bowlers, with excellent figures of two for 9 in her complement of four overs. The three extra overs that Ireland gave the Windies were crucial, however, as 19 runs were scored off those final 18 deliveries. More than that, it meant that Ireland were under pressure with their over-rate.
In response to the Windies total, Ireland lost Siuin Woods early, before Hunter and Annabelle Squires put together 46 for the second wicket. Squires struck four boundaries, in a well-paced 42 from 38 balls, while Hunter was more circumspect – 21 off 25 balls. The match swung in the Windies’ favour when Hunter fell and was then followed an over later by Georgina Dempsey. Abbi Harrison hit two fours quickly, but the rate was creeping up, and the West Indies were maintaining their disciplines. In contrast to their opponents, they only conceded three wides with ball in hand.
When Squires fell in the 16th over, Ireland had a proverbial mountain to climb 41 to win, with just 29 balls in hand and two relatively new batters at the crease. The damage was done by the player of the match, Zaida James – who helped herself to four wickets, to go with her half-century with the bat. Sargent tried in vain to keep Ireland alive at the death, but James struck again to settle the contest, securing victory by seven runs.
Scores in brief:
Toss won by Ireland, who decided to bowl first.
West Indies 125 for three in 20 overs (Zaida James 52, Naijanna Cumberbatch 21 not out, Freya Sargent two for 9)
Ireland 118 for seven in 20 overs (Annabelle Squire 42, Amy Hunter 21, Zaida James four for 20)
West Indies won by seven runs.
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