ST. KITTS – Australia has secured an unassailable lead in their ODI series against the West Indies, claiming a 90-run victory in the second match at Warner Park on Monday. The win puts the world No. 1 ranked Australian team firmly in control, with the final match of the three-game series looming on Friday. This latest success follows a clean sweep of the preceding Twenty20 series, extending Australia’s winning streak on their Caribbean tour to five consecutive matches. The focus now shifts to whether they can complete a perfect six from six.
Veteran batter Beth Mooney anchored the Australian innings with a composed 65 off 104 balls, guiding the visitors to a total of 7-269 after winning the toss. While Australia stumbled early, falling to 4-82 in the 16th over, Mooney’s steady hand, combined with crucial contributions from Georgia Wareham and a resilient partnership, proved vital. The West Indies, ranked ninth in the ICC ODI rankings, showed early fight but ultimately succumbed to a dramatic batting collapse, falling short of the target and highlighting the gap in quality between the two sides.
Early Setbacks and Mooney’s Resilience
The Australian innings began shakily, with Ashmini Munisar of the West Indies making an immediate impact. Munisar struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Georgia Voll for 23 and then, remarkably, claiming the wicket of Ellyse Perry for a golden duck – only the third of Perry’s illustrious 166-match ODI career. Cricket.com.au reported on the surprise dismissal, noting Perry’s typically reliable form.
However, Mooney and stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath (24) steadied the ship with a 58-run partnership, rebuilding the innings and providing a platform for the middle order. The introduction of spin proved pivotal for Australia, with Georgia Wareham (3-29) and Ash Gardner (3-34) applying significant pressure and ultimately dismantling the West Indies batting lineup. Wareham, in particular, showcased her all-round ability, contributing a valuable 39 runs with the bat at No. 7 before wreaking havoc with the ball.
West Indies Collapse and Wareham’s Impact
The West Indies’ chase began promisingly, with Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph establishing a solid opening partnership, reaching 1-92 after 23 overs. Matthews, a key player for the home side, looked well set, but her dismissal triggered a stunning collapse. She was out for 45 off 73 balls, caught after being dropped earlier in her innings by Alana King. ESPNcricinfo’s match report detailed the dramatic shift in momentum.
The turning point came in the 25th over, as Wareham dismissed both Stafanie Taylor (18) and Deandra Dottin for a fourth-ball duck, leaving the West Indies reeling at 3-92. Gardner then added to the pressure, dismissing Joseph with a well-executed caught-and-bowled. The West Indies lost 7 wickets for just 34 runs, a collapse that effectively ended their hopes of victory. The Australian spinners exploited the turning conditions at Warner Park, proving too difficult for the West Indies middle order to navigate.
Final Wickets and Series Conclusion
Despite the late resistance from Afy Fletcher (32 not out) and Karishma Ramharack (14), the West Indies were eventually bowled out for 179 in 46 overs. McGrath completed the victory, ending a 49-run partnership for the 10th wicket when Ramharack holed out to Voll. The Australian bowlers maintained their discipline, preventing a significant late flourish from the hosts.
With Sophie Molineux continuing to manage a back injury, she observed the match from the sidelines, allowing McGrath to lead the team. The Australian squad has demonstrated impressive depth and adaptability throughout the tour, showcasing their dominance in both the T20 and ODI formats. The team’s ability to recover from early setbacks and capitalize on key moments has been a hallmark of their success.
The final ODI on Friday presents Australia with an opportunity to complete a dominant tour, aiming for a sixth consecutive win. For the West Indies, it’s a chance to salvage some pride and identify areas for improvement as they look to build towards future challenges. The match will undoubtedly be closely watched by cricket fans around the world, eager to see if the Australian team can maintain their winning momentum.
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