Kingston, Jamaica – West Indies Women lost the first One-Day International by one run to New Zealand in a close finish at Sabina Park on Sunday.
New Zealand won the toss, batted first and made 225-8 off their 50 overs. Experienced opener Suzie Bates topscored with 110 off 133 balls – her fifth century in her 57th match. Off-spinner Stafanie Taylor was the leading bowler with 4-19 off seven overs which triggered a lower-order collapse as five wickets fell for 15 runs.
West Indies were bowled out for 224 in the final over. They also suffered a lower-order slide as the last five wickets fell for just 10 runs in four overs.
This was after Deandra Dottin topscored with a blistering 66 – her 11th half-century in this format. She added a valuable 74 for the fifth wicket with captain Merissa Aguilleira – who made 43 from 63 balls with two fours.
Earlier Taylor, the leading allrounder in the world, made 38 off 49 balls with four boundaries and a six to complete an impressive performance in her first international match on home soil.
Speaking after the match coach Sherwin Campbell said: "This was a game we should have won. New Zealand won the toss and batted well, but we also batted well, but just could not finish the job. We will look to come back on Tuesday and rebound. Still two matches to go and we know we are capable of winning the series."
Before the match, West Indies suffered a setback when new ball bowler Shakera Selman sustained an injury to her left hand in the warm-ups. The damage was not major and she is expected to remain with the squad for the three-match series.
The teams return to Sabina Park for the second ODI on Tuesday. First ball is 9 am (10 am Eastern Caribbean Time).