Taylor shines but Windies narrowly miss out

LINCOLN, New Zealand (CMC) – Captain Stafanie Taylor missed out on a sixth One-Day International hundred as West Indies Women narrowly went down by a single run to New Zealand Women, in the opening One-Day International here Sunday.
Asked to chase a challenging 279 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, West Indies ended on 277 for nine off their 50 overs with Taylor carving out a top score of 90 off 93 balls.
The Caribbean side required 11 runs from the last over with Kyshona Knight and tail-ender Tremayne Smartt (5) at the crease but only managed to eke out nine, after losing Smartt and failing to get the four runs required for victory off the final delivery.
Kyshona Knight chipped in with a busy 44 off 31 deliveries while twin sister Kycia Knight, struck a patient 38 at the top order and Chedean Nation, 29.
Sent in earlier, the White Ferns piled up 278 for nine off their 50 overs, with veteran Sophie Devine striking 108 – her third one-day century – and opening partner and captain Suzie Bates getting 44.
Off-spinner Taylor (3-54) and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher (3-55) claimed three wickets apiece while off-spinner Hayley Matthews supported with two for 68.
It was the opening stand between Devine and Bates which put New Zealand on their way, as they added 76 to deny West Indies any early success.
The right-handed Devine stroked eight fours and two sixes in a 103-ball knock while Bates faced 46 balls and counted four fours.