LINCOLN, New Zealand (CMC) – West Indies women cricket team suffered a nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the opening match of the One Day International (ODI) series at Bert Sutcliffe Oval yesterday.

The West Indies were restricted to 181 for eight from their 50 overs, with Stefanie Taylor top-scoring with 36. An unbeaten 142-run second-wicket partnership between Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan was the backbone behind New Zealand’s run chase, reaching the target after 29.3 overs.
Suzie Bates put in a Player-of-the-Match performance, contributing with figures of two for 25 with the ball and making an unbeaten 95 with the bat.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, the West Indies got off to a solid start, reaching 50 for one in the 14th over. Kycia Knight looked set with a well-made 30, but her dismissal by Morna Nielsen was followed by the fall of regular wickets.
The dynamic Stefanie Taylor was her usual aggressive self, but undone by a direct hit in the field from Sophie Devine. The all-rounder continued her involvement, taking two of her own wickets, including that of the dangerous Shanel Daley (24).
All the bowlers played a hand, with debutante Hayley Jensen looking particularly good with figures of one for 34 from eight overs.
In response, the New Zealand pair of Bates and McGlashan (60*) dazzled, crunching their way to half-centuries and an easy victory.
Bates brought up her 50 off 55 balls, with McGlashan taking just one extra ball. Having surpassed a 100-partnership and with under 50 runs to win, the duo picked up the tempo and dominated the West Indies bowlers to pick up the victory in under 30 overs.
The two teams meet in the second of three ODIs tomorrow ( tonight Caribbean Time) in Lincoln.

Summary Scores:
West Indies Women Innings: 181/8 (50 overs). Stafanie Taylor 36, Kycia Knight 30, Shanel Daley 24, Shemaine Campbelle 16; Suzie Bates 2-25, Sophie Devine 2-43, Morna Nielsen 1-22, Frances Mackay 1-24.
New Zealand Women Innings: 184/1 (29.3 overs). Suzie Bates 95*, Sara McGlashan 60*, Sam Curtis 14; Tremayne Smartt 1-43, Stacy-Ann King 0-16, Shanel Daley 0-32, Shaquana Quintyne 0-23.