WI shock NZ in thrilling World Cup opener

Part-time bowler Deandra Dottin delivered a fearless final over in which three wickets fell to give West Indies a three-run win over host New Zealand on Friday in the opening match of the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

New Zealand came to the last over on 254-7, chasing West Indies’ 259-9 and appearing poised to pull off the highest winning run chase in the history of the women’s world tournament, but was dismissed for 256 with a ball left.

Martin hit fours from the last two balls of the 49th over to send New Zealand into the last over needing six runs from six balls in what seemed an equation favorable to the home side. With the West Indies a bowler short after an injury to Shamilia Connell, Dottin stepped up to take the ball.

Hayley Matthews, sent into an unfamiliar role as Dottin’s opening partner and battling a hamstring strain, made 119 runs in 128 balls.

Brief scores: West Indies 259 for 9 (Matthews 119, Nation 36, Taylor 30, Tahuhu 3-57, Jess Kerr 2-43) beat New Zealand 256 (Devine 108, Martin 44, Satterthwaite 31, Dottin 2-2, Matthews 2-41, Mohammed 2-60) by 3 runs. Player of the match: Hayley Matthews Result: West Indies won by 3 runs.