India crush Windies in Women’s World Cup opener

MUMBAI: Hosts India crushed West Indies by a big margin of 105 runs in the opening match of the Women’s World Cup 2013 here at the Brabourne Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a huge target of 285, the West Indies could not resist against accurate bowling from India and were all out for 179 in 44.3 overs.

Seamer Nagarajan Niranjana was the most successful bowler for India capturing three wickets while pacer Jhulan Goswami and left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana bagged two wickets each.

Deandra Dottin was the top scorer for the West Indies with a thunderous 39 from just 16 balls with four sixes and three fours. She was also the most successful bowler of the team earlier, getting three wickets for 32.

The other significant scorers were Shanel Daley (28) and Shemaine Campbelle (21).

Earlier, India piled up a huge total of 284 runs for six wickets after West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira won the toss and put the hosts into bat.

Openers Poonam Raut and Thirush Kamini provided a solid platform scoring 175 in 37 overs but then India lost six quick wickets for further 109 runs in a bid to accelerate the scoring rate.

Kamini scored a brilliant maiden hundred, an exact 100 runs, before being run out. She struck eleven fours and a six while her partner Raut made 72 with seven fours.

Jhulan Goswami and Harmanpreet Kaur scored 36 each with super hitting.

Kamini was given the Woman of the Match award after the match ended.

Three matches will be played tomorrow, the second day of the tournament ---- first between Pakistan and Australia at Cuttack, second between England and Sri Lanka at Mumbai and third between New Zealand and South Africa at Cuttack.