Gros Islet, St Lucia – Deandra Dottin showcased her batting prowess as West Indies Women overpowered South Africa Women to win the first T20 International by 8 wickets at Beausejour Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Playing in her 50th T20 International, Dottin marked the special occasion with a blistering 48 not out off just 30 balls, as the West Indies sped to 114-2 off 18.2 overs in reply to South Africa’s 113-7 off 20 overs.
Dottin added a crucial unbroken partnership of 68 with left-hander Kycia Knight, who made 33 not out, and guided the home side to a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. It was also an historic match for Knight, who was joined by her twin sister Kyshona in a T20 International for the first time.
"It felt special when I was batting out there. I was a little nervous but I settled quickly. It was a special occasion, with me becoming the first woman from West Indies to play their 50th match, and I was made to feel really good by my team-mates, the fans in the crowd and the WICB," Dottin said.
After her entertaining batting performance, she was presented with the Player-of-the-Match award by Nadine George, the only West Indian woman to make a century in Test cricket. Dottin also received a special 50th Match Award from Dr Julian Hunte, President of West Indies Cricket Board.
"It was a really good pitch to bat on. Before the match we said if we batted first we would target 150-plus. When we realised we were chasing less than six runs per over to win, we knew we could achieve that," Dottin stated.
"When I went to bat I was just looking to rotate the strike at the start of my innings and build a good partnership with Kycia. She was playing really well at that stage and she gave me good support throughout the innings."
She added: "It was good to see her get a score and come off not out. That will do her confidence the world of good as we get ready for the second match and the World Cup in India in a few days’ time. That’s the real big show and everyone is looking forward to that."
The West Indies Women and South Africa Women will meet again on Sunday at 4 pm (3 pm Jamaica Time). The match will be broadcast live on ESPN Caribbean – the broadcast partner of the West Indies Cricket Board.
Additional coverage is available on ESPN’s Networks in the UK, Australia, Middle East and Africa. In Canada, fans can see the action via the Titan GSG Media Corporation.
FULL SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Stafanie Taylor (Vice Captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shakera Selman, Shaquana Quintyne