Defending champions Australia began their campaign on a resounding note, beating the West Indies by eight wickets with opener Nicole Bolton hitting an unbeaten 107.
Australian bowlers put up an impressive bowling effort to dismiss the West Indies for 204 before the batswomen completed the chase in 38.1 overs. Bolton shared a 171-run stand for the opening wicket alongside Beth Mooney, who scored 70 off 85 balls. Bolton’s 116-ball comprised 14 fours. Captain Meg Lanning was out cheaply for 12.
Australia’s most productive bowler was Ellyse Perry, who picked up three wickets conceding 47 runs in nine overs. After looking set at 157 for three in the 37th over, the reigning Twenty20 champions committed hara-kiri to get shot out for 204 in the 48th over.
For the Windies, opener Hayley Matthews scored a fluent 45 while skipper Stafanie Taylor contributed with 46 runs. Australia are chasing a record seventh World Cup crown and are tournament favourites.
The match was also marred by controversy when West Indian batter Chedean Nation was adjudged not out by the square leg umpire. Replays showed that Australia keeper Alyssa Healy had removed the bails with Nation atleast two inches short of the crease while completing a run. The West Indies No.3 went was on two, and went on add another 37 runs to the score. There are no television umpires for matches that are not televised.
Brief score:
- West Indies 204 in 47.5 Overs (Stafanie Taylor 46, Hayley Matthews 45; Ellyse Perry 3/47, Kristen Beams 2/30) lost to Australia 205/2 in 38.1 Overs (Nicole Bolton 107 not out, Beth Mooney 70; Stafanie Taylor 2/30) by 8 wickets