Taylor’s all-round effort helps Windies sweep Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe:

West Indies veteran Stafanie Taylor etched her name into the history books on Wednesday, becoming only the fourth woman to complete the double of 3,000 T20 International (T20I) runs and 100 wickets, as the regional women crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets to complete a clean 3-0 series sweep.

Scores:

ZIMBABWE WOMEN - 142-6 in 20 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 63, Christine Mutasa 24 not out; Stafanie Taylor 2-8, Jahzara Claxton 2-35).

WEST INDIES WOMEN - 143-2 in 17 overs (Stafanie Taylor 64 not out, Jahzara Claxton 38, Realeanna Grimmond 17, Jannillea Glasgow 15 not out; Christine Mutasa 1-19).

Historic moment

Taylor’s historic moment came with the ball, but her all-round brilliance defined the match at Takashinga Sports Club.

After Zimbabwe elected to bat, the hosts looked set for a competitive total before Taylor intervened.

The Zimbabwean innings was anchored by opener Kelis Ndhlovu, who scored her fifth T20I half-century. Ndhlovu struck a fluent 63 off just 48 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six fours and three sixes.

She guided Zimbabwe to 40 for one in the powerplay, but the introduction of Taylor changed the complexion of the game immediately.

100th T20I wicket

Taylor struck with just her second delivery, having Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano stumped by Mandy Mangru for seven to claim her 100th T20I wicket.

She later returned to trap Chiedza Dhururu lbw for nine, finishing with remarkable figures of two wickets for eight run from her four overs.

Supported by Jahzara Claxton (two for 35), the West Indies bowlers restricted the hosts despite a late surge. A 40-run stand off 27 balls between Ndhlovu and Christine Mutasa helped Zimbabwe post 142 for six, taking 41 runs off the final four overs.

In response, Claxton led the charge with a composed 38 off 37 balls at the top of the innings.

However, it was her 71-run partnership with Taylor for the second wicket that killed the game as a contest.

Opener Realeanna Grimmond chipped in with 17, but Taylor took control of the chase. The major difference between the two sides was the middle overs (overs seven to 16).

While Zimbabwe managed only 61 for three during that phase, West Indies plundered 85 runs for the loss of just Claxton, who was bowled by Beloved Biza.

Taylor finished unbeaten on 64 off just 39 balls, an innings laced with 11 boundaries. She and Janillea Glasgow (15 not out) put on an unbroken 53-run stand for the third wicket to see the West Indies home with 18 balls to spare.