Dottin puts on special show to celebrate 50th appearance

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.