West Indies stuns Australia to reach WWC final

It wasn't expected to be a particularly tough chase for Australia when, in its last Super Six game at the ICC Women's World Cup, the West Indies scored 164 after opting to bat at Middle Income Group ground in Mumbai on Wednesday (February 13). However, the West Indies fashioned a sensational eight-run win, its first over Australia in One-Day Internationals, to secure a place in the final of the competition.

The West Indies' reward is a tilt in the title clash against the same opposition at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on February 17 as it looks to sign off its wonderful run in the tournament with a maiden title.

Deandra Dottin's 67-ball 60 and a super bowling effort, led by Shanel Daley (3 for 22) and Stafanie Taylor (2 for 26), stopped the Australians eight runs short of the total as Australia, who came into the competition undefeated, was shot out for 156.

The chase started badly for Australia as Daley bowled Meg Lanning for a duck in the second over. For the next 22 overs, the Australians were well ahead, with Rachael Haynes (21) and Jess Cameron (39) putting together 31 runs for the second wicket and Cameron then collaborating with Alex Blackwell (45) to add 47 for the third wicket.

But after Cameron became the third wicket to fall with the total on 79, the innings went into a tailspin with the West Indian bowlers finally winning a game pretty much on their own. There was brief resistance from Jodie Fields (18) and Erin Osborne (19), but with the West Indian fielders backing up their bowlers with three run outs, the Australians sank to their first loss in the tournament.

Earlier, Natasha McLean (26) stood alone amid the ruins as the West Indian top- order was sent packing by Megan Schutt (3 for 50) and Holly Ferling (3 for 27). West Indies lost its first two wickets with just 31 on the board and then five more with the total on 92.

That's when Dottin changed the script of the match with a hectic 60-run knock. Dottin hit ten fours and one six to almost singlehandedly take the total to a respectable and, eventually, match-winning 164.