Hayley Matthews shines as West Indies upset hosts New Zealand in World Cup opener

Deandra Dottin complemented Hayley Matthews' whirlwind century with an immaculate last over as West Indies notched up a stunning three-run victory over the fancied New Zealand in the Women's ODI World Cup opener at the Bay Oval here on Friday. Hayley smashed a 128-ball 119 (16x4, 1x6) but the rest of their batters failed to convert their starts as West Indies set up a 260-run target after the White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine opted to field.

In reply, the 2000 champions rode on Devine's chancy 108 to overcome a shaky start but only to choke in the final over. Needing six runs in the final over, New Zealand lost three wickets in four balls to get all out for 256 in 49.5 overs with pace bowling allrounder Dottin returning with splendid figures of 0.5-0-2-2. Having survived some anxious moments both in the form of a run-out and a couple of missed catches, Devine completed her sixth ODI century but could not take her team over the line. Chinelle Henry took a spectacular return catch to dismiss the White Ferns captain in the 45th over, something that revived the Windies hopes before the veteran allrounder Dottin sealed the issue.

Asked to defend six runs in the last over with New Zealand having three wickets intact, Dottin claimed two wickets in three balls, before the 17-year-old Fran Jonas was run out in the fifth ball to concede the Windies a thrilling win. Windies turned the match around after Henry took a juggling return catch to dismiss the centurion Devine. The win would have come easy but the West Indies were sloppy on the field as they leaked runs in plenty and dropped a slew of catches. Devine was dropped twice, once on 37 and then on 74, as the skipper also survived after West Indies did not review a close lbw