Dominant Australia cruise past West Indies

SCOREBOARD

Day 12 Talking Points: Australia’s depth too much for West Indies as Stafanie Taylor left playing a lone hand

Perry (3/22) picked up two wickets in her first over and three during a magnificent opening spell to help skittle the West Indies for just 131, before Haynes (83*) guided the tournament favourites past the required total with just under 20 overs remaining at Basin Reserve.

The West Indies showed glimpses of the form that helped them to upset victories over New Zealand and England at the start of the tournament, with captain Stafanie Taylor (50) leading the way with the bat and Hayley Matthews (1/31 and three standout catches) excelling in the field.

But the gulf in class was too large, as Australia made it four from four at the event and extended their lead at the top of the tournament standings.

The West Indies remain in fifth place and will need to win at least two of their remaining three fixtures to progress to the semi-final stage.

While Perry's opening spell set the tone for a dominant Australian performance, she received good support from spinners Ashleigh Gardner (3/25) and Jess Jonassen (2/18) throughout.

Perry had the ball swinging both ways, with Matthews (0) and Kycia Knight (0) falling consecutively to excellent deliveries as West Indies were reduced to 4/2 in the second over.

Taylor, who won the toss and elected to bat after rain delayed the start of the match, safely negotiated the hat-trick delivery and set about building a partnership with the in-form Deandra Dottin.

But Perry once again stepped up to the plate to dismiss Dottin for 16, with Australia skipper Meg Lanning holding on to a sharp catch at slip to make it 34/3 after 10 overs.

Taylor and wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle tried to recover, but Gardner got in on the act with two quick wickets to leave West Indies in big trouble at 78/5 at the midway point of their innings.

With Taylor still at the crease there was still hope West Indies could post a competitive total, but Gardner intervened to trap the skipper LBW and Jonassen chipped in with two late wickets as Australia took complete control.

Alyssa Healy (3) and Lanning (0) fell early in reply to give West Indies a glimmer of hope, but Perry joined Haynes at the crease and the duo batted within themselves to post a 50-run partnership.

Perry wasn't able to bat all the way through to the required total as she fell to Matthews' third catch and the bowling of Chinelle Henry (1/20), but Beth Mooney (28*) was on hand alongside Haynes to ensure Australia cruised home.

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt

West Indies XI: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle, Chedean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, Chinelle Henry, Shakera Selman, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell