MUMBAI, India – Stafanie Taylor said everything fell into place, as West Indies Women continued their dominance over Sri Lanka Women, crushing them by 209 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 on Sunday.
The World No.1 Women’s all-rounder gathered a career-best 171 that anchored the Windies Women to their highest ever Women’s One-day International total of 368 for eight from their 50 overs before they dismissed the Sri Lankans for 159 in 40 overs at the Middle Income Group Ground.
It was the Caribbean side’s ninth victory over the Sri Lankans in their last 14 matches.
"Everyone is happy about the way we played to know that we actually did so well in all areas of our game," she said.
"This was the plan really – to bat first and boost our net run rate. We needed to improve our net run rate and we felt if we batted first, got a decent target of over 350, it would help.
"Things also worked out so well that we able to restrict them to the total we had to keep them under."
Taylor eclipsed her 147 against the Netherlands Women three years ago at Potchefstroom in South Africa for the highest score by a West Indian in WODIs.
Her score was also the third highest in WODIs, behind Australian Belinda Clark’s 229 not out against Denmark Women 16 years ago coincidentally at the same ground in the same tournament on the same day England’s Charlotte Edwards also made the second highest score of 173 not out against Ireland Women at the Nehru Stadium in Pune here.
"I think it was a fantastic innings," she said. "I wouldn’t say it was my best innings ever, but it was fantastic.
"I got plenty support from the others. Deandra Dottin came in, hit the ball around and got 50 from 22 balls, the two Knights, Kycia and Kyshona, stayed there, and our captain Merissa Aguilleira came and finished things off."
She added: "I was satisfied that it was not only me that had a good innings, but that I was supported by the other players. It was important for me to set a good platform which the team could build upon and it was about us being able to win.
"In order for us to win, we needed a big total, and in order for us to build a big total, we needed a good platform."
Taylor said the conditions were also ideal to play an innings like hers and she made the most of them.
"It’s not quite like the Caribbean, where it’s bright and sunny at nine in the morning," she said. "It’s cloudy and overcast at that time, so when you see the conditions you would think it is good for bowling.
"Either way, if you do what you know you have to do you can get runs. The pitches are good for batting, so it’s important to get a decent total on the board and work to defend it."