Australia got the Sophie Molineux era under way in sloppy style as a new-look side overcame six spilled chances before turning the screw late for a 43-run victory over West Indies in the first women’s T20 international in St Vincent. But as the dress rehearsals continue for the T20 World Cup starting in June, the role in the XI of Australia’s new captain remains unclear after the allrounder did not bat or bowl on her return from injury.
An unusually messy performance in the field threatened to cost Australia dear as West Indies made a promising start to their 165-run chase. Alana King was the main offender as she dropped three catches early in the innings, including a pair while standing on the deep backward square rope, before striking back with the ball.
The leg-spinner sent Hayley Matthews (11) packing with an exquisite delivery that drifted across the West Indies captain before sliding under her bat on the way to crashing into the stumps. The hosts looked to play the 30-year-old tweaker cautiously from there but could not resist King turning the game either side of a brief rain delay. On her return to the T20 side after sitting out the three matches in the format against India last month, King trapped Shemaine Campbelle (15) in front then bowled Deandra Dottin for a duck to end her spell with a double-wicket maiden and figures of 3 for 14.
West Indies opener Qiana Joseph (45 from 39) gave the hosts a glimmer of hope as she made the most of an early life from King on the way to clubbing seven boundaries and a six. Stafanie Taylor (28 from 25) carried West Indies toward a more respectable 121-6 before another Australia legspinner, Georgia Wareham (2 for 14), beat the veteran for flight and had her caught in the deep in the final over.
While spin twins King and Wareham staked their claims to be part of Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup in England and Wales, offspinner Molineux was limited to calling the shots from the field. There were doubts even before the toss over whether Australia’s new skipper would bowl on her return to the XI after she was sidelined by a back injury during the back half of the multi-format series against India. But even as Australia’s middle-order collapsed, the 28-year-old stayed in the stands as King, Wareham, and vice-captain Tahlia McGrath were sent in to bat ahead of Molineux.
Player of the match Beth Mooney picked up where she left off against India with a lone hand at the top of the order and a typically punchy 79 from 55 deliveries. The No 1 batter in the ICC’s T20 rankings was joined by veteran Ellyse Perry (36 from 32) as Australia gradually brushed off a shaky start to reach a more imposing 164-6. Dottin (3 for 35) did the damage early for West Indies when dismissing Georgia Voll for 8, then returned later in the innings to split four wickets with fellow seamer Chinelle Henry (2 for 28).
“We were in a bit of a hole there,” Molineux said when asked what was most pleasing about the win. “I suppose our ability to sort of bounce back there with Moons [Mooney] and Pez’s [Perry’s] partnership, and that was one thing that we spoke about coming into this game, is how important the partnership’s going to be for us.”
“[King] was brilliant. She had a new role in the powerplay as well, and we had a look at that. I think most of our bowlers bowled well, but Kingy was great and her celebrations were great as well.”
Australia’s tour of the Caribbean continues with two more T20s in St Vincent on Saturday and Monday local time, before the sides meet in three ODIs in St Kitts after the one-off Test was removed from the schedule.