Women’s T20 World Cup: Taylor, spinners help West Indies overcome Scotland threat

Stafanie Taylor navigated a huge scare at the hands of Scotland as West Indies scrapped their way to a second win of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Taylor, playing her first match of the tournament, injected much-needed impetus to the West Indies’ innings with a boundary-laden 47 not out off just 19 deliveries striking at 247.36 after West Indies had slumped to 85 for 5 in the 15th over of the match.

A spirited half-century by just-turned 21-year-old opener Darcey Carter while battling a leg injury took Scotland close to victory in the face of a nervy performance with the ball and in the field from West Indies.

She shared half-century partnerships with Katherine Fraser and Ailsa Lister, but Hayley Matthews’ 3 for 19 in four overs, which included 13 dot balls, gave her side just enough hope to hold onto and Aaliyah Alleyne’s three wickets in the 19th over stifled Scotland just as they threatened to take the match away once more.

Fraser had been outstanding for Scotland with 2 for 34, a spectacular catch on the boundary’s edge to remove opener Qiana Joseph and the sharp run-out of Shemaine Campbelle, West Indies’ star in their nail-biting victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

West Indies became bogged down by a disciplined Scotland bowling attack complemented by excellent fielding all round. But, led by Taylor, they scored 69 runs in the last six overs to set Scotland a sizeable target – one the qualifiers came far closer to reaching than their opponents would have liked. (ESPNcricinfo)