Dottin century sets up clean sweep

Deandra Dottin became the first batter to score two centuries in Women's Twenty20 Internationals as she blasted 112 runs off just 67 deliveries to guide Windies Women to a 31-run victory and a 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka Women on Sunday (October 22).

Opting to bat at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Coolidge, Windies rode on Dottin's ton to post a solid 159 for 6 from its 20 overs. Hayley Matthews, who was the only other player to reach double-digits, then picked up four wickets with her off-spin to restrict the visiting side on 128 for 5 from its allotment.

Sripali Weerakkody, the right-arm medium-pacer, got Sri Lanka off to a brilliant start by removing Stafanie Taylor, the skipper, for just five. The celebrations soon turned sour as Dottin, coming in at No. 3, joined hands with Matthews to forge a 121-run partnership.

Dottin, who had become the first woman to score a century in T20Is during an ICC World T20 match against South Africa in 2010, smoked nine fours and five sixes during her stay. She was well supported by Matthews, who scored a sedate 40-ball 34 before being run out in the 18th over.

List of Women T20I centurions

Windies lost four wickets in the last over bowled by Ama Kanchana (2 for 24), including that of Dottin, but by then, the damage had already been done.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost Yasoda Mendis (9), Nipuni Hansika (12) and Chamari Atapattu (0) early, all three of them being stumped off the spin duo of Matthews and Taylor (1 for 22).

Shashikala Siriwardene (50 off 44 balls) and Rebeca Vandort, the wicketkeeper-batter (50 off 39 balls), added 84 runs for the fourth wicket to bring some stability but they struggled to keep the run rate in check. The two fell to Matthews in the last over, helping the offie finish with 4 for 18.