Angry Dottin wanted to make up for ODI innings

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

DISAPPOINTED WITH the manner in which she was dismissed in the second One Day International against Bangladesh, Deandra Dottin had a point to prove in the opening T20I.

The 33-year-old slammed seven sixes in scoring a 21-ball half century to help lead West Indies Women to a comfortable eight wicket victory over Bangladesh Women at Warner Park on Monday.

It was the fastest half century by a West Indies woman in T20 cricket and tied for fifth fastest in Women’s T20 internationals.

Dottin’s seven sixes is also tied for the sixth most by a woman in a T20I innings.

Speaking during a post-match interview on Monday, Dottin admitted that she came with a plan to be aggressive from the get-go.

She said the fact that the match was being played at Warner Park made her performance even more enjoyable.

“I think this is my favourite venue in the Caribbean after the 2010 World Cup and scoring the fastest hundred.

“But I basically came out with a little vengeance after getting out early in one of the ODIs, so I just said I was coming out to beat ball. It’s either I get them, or they get me,” Dottin said jokingly.

The West Indies Women lost the second ODI to Bangladesh, before squeezing out a 2-1 series victory.

In that second ODI, Dottin, scored two runs from five deliveries before she was caught by wicketkeeper and captain, Nigar Sultana, off the bowling of Marufa Akter.

Bangladesh had scored just 184 but dismissed the West Indies women for a paltry 124.

The Barbadian, who came out of retirement last year, has the most sixes in Women’s T20 internationals with 124 in 137 matches.

Sophie Devine of New Zealand is second with 114 sixes from 143 matches while Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu has hit 88 sixes in 143 matches.

Dottin explained that her batting approach varied based on the conditions of the pitch and the bowling unit.

However, she said she always backed herself to perform regardless of where and who she was playing against.

“Sometimes I do get off to a fast start, sometimes I don’t. It’s just a matter of assessing the pitch and just feeling out the bowlers, kind of getting them comfortable and giving them a false sense of security,” Dottin said.

“So just like how I started tonight, I just got comfortable and then after that I picked my areas to hit the ball.

“It’s just a matter of backing yourself, assessing the conditions and the pitch really quickly and taking on the bowlers that are weak in a sense.

“But like I said, it all boils down to believing in yourself and having that determination and wanting it more,” she added.