NZ women win second T20I against WI women

– to level 5-match series at 1-1

Action continued in New Zealand Women’s tour of West Indies with the White Fern ladies levelling the 5-match T20I series 1-1, thanks to a brilliant half-century from Suzie Bates and excellent bowling from Hayley Jensen.
With the series now 1-1, there is more work to be done by both teams. The second game in the five match T20 series came to an end with the ladies in maroon failing to put up a formidable total.

Karishma Ramharack bagged 1-23

In the chase, a first innings total of 107-5 from the West Indies meant that the White Ferns would be chasing 108 for victory. Sophie Devine was the first to go, for (8) with the score at 37-1. But the visitors dug deep and, more so, batted deep, as the next wicket fell at 89-2 in 16.4 overs.
This was the prized wicket of Suzie Bates, who scored 54 off 61 balls, which included 6 boundaries. When Bates’s wicket fell, the West Indies women picked up two more quick wickets, as Amelia Kerr fell for 21 and Maddy Green was superbly run out. However, Georgia Plimmer (7) and Lauren Down (9) managed to guide their side over the line with one ball remaining.
Bowling for the West Indies, Karishma Ramharack took 1-23, Shakera Selman took 1-26, and Cherry-Ann Fraser took 1-13.
Earlier in the innings, the Windies women were struggling to get things going. They lost Hayley Matthews (8) and Aaliyah Alleyne (13) within the first ten overs, but an obdurate Kyshona Knight came to the crease and contributed a fighting 42 off 48 balls. No other player was able to aid Knight in her fightback, as the White Ferns bowled with precision and great discipline. Chinelle Henry (24) contributed the only other innings of substance as the ladies in maroon closed out their innings on 107-5.
Pick of the New Zealand bowlers was Hayley Jensen with 3-24, while Eden Carson chipped in with 2-12.
Action in this series will continue today from 13:00 hrs.