Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar star with the ball to maintain West Indies winless

India 95 for two (Rodrigues 42*, Harmanpreet 32*, Matthews 1-7) beat West Indies 94 for six (Matthews 34, Deepti 3-11, Vastrakar 2-19) by eight wickets

Deepti spins an internet, James shines on debut

With India opting to bowl, Deepti triggered West Indies’ slide along with her flight and dip. She first cleaned Rashada Williams up – who had opened with Hayley Matthews, as West Indies tried yet one more mixture on the high – earlier than repeating the act in opposition to Shemaine Campbelle along with her subsequent ball.

Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad trapped Djenaba Joseph in entrance earlier than Matthews and Shabika Gajnabi held fort. However, Vastrakar managed to bounce Matthews out for a run-a-ball 34 to go away West Indies at 53 for 4 within the twelfth over.

It was then that James, on West Indies debut, confirmed her talent. She was the best run-scorer for West Indies within the recently-concluded Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, and carried her type into the sport, scoring an unbeaten 21 off 31 balls. She prevented India from operating by way of the line-up, however the runs took their time to return.

James tonked two sixes – as many as West Indies had managed in the whole tri-series till then – first pummeling Shikha Pandey over broad long-on, then utilizing her ft to get to the pitch of a Deepti supply and smash it over long-off. James added 21 off simply 16 balls with Aaliyah Alleyne, serving to West Indies rating 36 off the final 5 overs, though they might nonetheless handle solely 94 – a sign of how a lot the batters earlier than had struggled.

Rodrigues remained fluent on a gradual observe that aided spin, discovering gaps incessantly and cashing in on the width provided by the West Indies seamers. As the innings wore on, Harmanpreet obtained into her personal too, and freed her arms to hit 4 fours as she completed unbeaten on 32 off 23 balls. The partnership solely took 40 balls, and helped India get house with eight wickets and 37 balls to spare.

India now face South Africa within the tri-series last on Thursday, having certified for the title match even earlier than their washout in opposition to South Africa two days again.