Australia secured a dominant 103-run victory over West Indies in St Kitts, overcoming a fine unbeaten century from Stafanie Taylor in the opening ODI.
After posting 341, the visitors restricted West Indies to 238 for 8 from their 50 overs, continuing their strong run following a 3-0 sweep in the T20I series.
Litchfield Leads Record Total
Opener Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 77, while five other Australian batters contributed scores in the 40s as the side registered 341 — a record women’s ODI team total in the Caribbean.
Australia looked set for an even bigger total at 166 for 1 in the 24th over, but a collapse of 3 wickets for 20 runs slowed their progress, including Litchfield’s dismissal at long-off.
Nicola Carey and captain Sophie Molineux then steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership. Molineux, batting at No. 4, contributed 49, while Carey fell just short of a maiden ODI fifty after missing a reverse sweep against Afy Fletcher.
Georgia Wareham provided late impetus with a quickfire 42 from 21 balls, striking five fours and two sixes to push Australia past the 300 mark.
Taylor’s Century the Highlight for West Indies
With the result effectively decided, attention turned to whether Stafanie Taylor could complete a century against Australia.
She finished unbeaten on 105 from 129 balls, reaching the milestone with a boundary off Georgia Wareham in the 47th over. Her innings included 10 fours and a six, marking her eighth ODI century and her first since 2021.
Taylor survived a moment of danger in the 90s when she attempted a quick single on 91 but would have been run out had Wareham’s throw hit the stumps.
Australia Maintain Control with Ball
Despite Taylor’s effort, Australia controlled the chase throughout. Kim Garth led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 37, including the wickets of both openers.
Wareham, who was named player of the match for her all-round contribution, also returned 1 for 39 from her 10 overs.
Earlier, Australia fielded a reshaped ODI side, making five changes from the XI that defeated India in Hobart. Beth Mooney’s late withdrawal due to quad tightness led to Tahlia Wilson making her ODI debut.
Wilson impressed behind the stumps, highlighted by a sharp stumping of Aaliyah Alleyne off Garth.
Brief Scores
- Australia 341 (Litchfield 77, Carey 49, Molineux 49, Perry 44; Fletcher 3-83)
- West Indies 238 for 8 (Taylor 105*; Garth 3-37)
- Australia won by 103 runs
