Fulmali, Patil star for India Women in warm-up win over WI Women

CARDIFF – Bharti Fulmali scored a half-century and Shreyanka Patil grabbed four wickets to guide India Women to a comfortable 26-run victory over West Indies Women in their warm-up match in Wales on Monday, ahead of the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

In a contest where both sides were allowed to utilise 14 players, India posted a competitive total of 179 for eight in 20 overs after being sent in to bat.

Fulmali led the way with an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls that included four fours and one six, while captain Smriti Mandhana made 39 off 23 balls with eight fours and Yastika Bhatia scored 36 from 26 balls with six boundaries before retiring hurt.

India looked set to post a mammoth total after blazing to 145 for three at the end of 15 overs, but leg spinner Afy Fletcher grabbed the wickets of Richa Ghosh for a duck, Radha Yadav for one and Shreyanka Patil for two to stem the flow of runs.

She finished with the impressive figures of 4-23 from her four overs, while Karishma Ramharack, Deandra Dottin and Aaliyah Alleyne took a wicket apiece.

Despite getting off to a promising start in their run chase, West Indies Women–who were without the services of captain Hayley Matthews and veteran Stafanie Taylor–were eventually restricted to 153 for eight in their 20 overs.

The new look opening pair of Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle added 63 runs in nine overs, but once the latter retired out after scoring 25 from 22 balls, the innings crumbled.

Qiana Joseph was bowled by Patil for four, with the offspinner also snaring the wicket of Jahzara Claxton for six.

When Dottin was trapped lbw by Radha Yadav for the topscore of 49 off 44 balls, inclusive of eight fours, the Windies had slumped to 102 for five.

Shawnisha Hector scored an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls batting at number nine, but the outcome had long been decided by then.

Patil claimed 4-36, while Yadav took 3-25.

The West Indies’ second and final warmup match will be against Australia on Wednesday.

CMC

Summarised scores

INDIA WOMEN 179-9 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 56 not out, Smriti Mandhana 39, Yastika Bhatia 36, Shafali Verma 29; Afy Fletcher 4-23).

WEST INDIES WOMEN 153-8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 49, Shemaine Campbelle 25, Shawnisha Hector 19 not out, Jannillea Glasgow 19, Aaliyah Alleyne 13; Shreyanka Patil 4-36, Radha Yadav 3-25).

India Women won by 26 runs.