Indian women crush Windies to go up 1-0

Vijayawada: The India-West Indies women cricket series got-off to flying start the host scripting a facile six-wicket win over the visiting team in the first One-Day International (ODI) at ACA - KDCA Stadium in Mulapadu near here on Thursday.

All-rounder Veda Krishna Murthy and skipper Mithali Raj accomplished the 132 runs target with an unbroken match-winning 97 runs partnership for the fifth wicket. That they needed a mere 136 balls implies Indian superiority in all departments. This was particularly impressive because the earlier batswomen came a cropper against some sustained spells.

Veda Krishna Murthy’s unbeaten 52 from 70 balls was studded with four hits to the fence and two heaves over the ropes while Mithali Raj was unconquered on 46. Opting to bat first on winning the toss, West Indies were shot out for 131 in 42.4 overs. Merissa Aquilleira (42 not out) was the only one who offered resistance and provided a semblance of respectability to the score.

The batswomen found Rajeswari Gayakwad (4/21) and Ekta Bisht (3/14) too god to handle. Windies captain Stafanie Taylor and Matthews scored only 19 runs each. Chasing the target, Deepti Sarma (16) and SS Mandhana (7) fell early while India also lost Mona Mesram (2) and Harmanpreeth Kaur (1) in double-quick succession. It was left to Mithali Raj and Veda Krishna Murthy to hold fort and avoid any further hiccups.

Score Board :

West Indies : Hayler Mathews, lbw (b) Ekta Bisht 24; Shaquana Quntyne lbw (b) Shika pandey 0; Stafanie Taloyr (b) Ekta Bisht, 19; Kycla Knight (b) Ekta Bisht 9; Dandra Dottin (c) Susma Verma (b) Rajeswari 8; Merissa Agulleria not out 42; Shemaine Campbelle run out (M Meshram) 7; Shakera Selman lbw (b) Rajeswari 3; Afy Fletcher run out (Harmanpreet Kaur) 0; Anisa Mohammed (b) Rajeswari 5; Tremayne Smart, lbw (b) Rajeswari 0;

Extras: 14; Total: 131/10

India bowling : Jhulan Gosswamy 8-1-32-0; Shika Pandey 8-1-22-1; Ekta Bisht 8-3-14-3 Deepti Sharma 6-0-27-0; Rajeswari Gayakwad 9.4-2-21-4; Harmanpreet Kaur 3-0-14-0.

India : Deepti Sharma lbw (b) Afy Fletcher 16; Smriti Mandhana (c) D Dottin (b) S Selman 7; Mona Meshram (c) M Agulleira (b) S Selman 2; Mithali Raj not out 46; Harmanpreet Kaur lbw (b) Hayley Mathews 1; Veda Krishna Murthy not out 52;

Extras: 9; Total: 133I4

West Indies bowling : Tremayne Smartt 3-0-21-0; Shakera Selman 9-4-11-2 Hayley Mathews 8-3-18-1; Afy Fletcher 6-1-20-1; Deandra Dottin 4-0-17-0; Aisa Mohammed 4-0-16-0; Shaquana Quntyne 3.1-0-22-0