Daley shines again as West Indies win T20 opener

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 2 (IANS/CMC) Jamaican all-rounder Shanel Daley extended her superb One-Day form into the opening Twenty20 game as West Indies women won the opening game of their five-match series by 23 runs against Sri Lanka at Kensington Oval here.

Daley top-scored Tuesday with 48 from 28 balls to help fire West Indies up to 127 for seven off their 20 overs, after the hosts won the toss and batted. In reply, Sri Lanka could only make 104 for eight with Daley taking one for 21 from four overs of left-arm medium pace.

Off-spinners Stafanie Taylor (2-19) and Anisa Mohammed (2-22) were the most successful bowlers, each picking up two wickets.

Taylor, leading the side in the absence of Merissa Aguilleira, put on 30 from 42 balls for the first wicket with Juliana Nero (22), but the world's top-ranked player herself scored 13.

Daley, batting at number four, then engaged in a 39-run third-wicket partnership with Deandra Dottin who found some form scoring 30.

The left-handed Daley hit four fours and a six while Dottin struck two fours and a six.

Off-spinner Shashikala Siriwardena was the best bowler with two for 24.

Shashikala Siriwardena (33 not out) and opener Prasadani Weerakkodi (29) kept the Sri Lankan innings going, but the run rate pulled them down.

Brief scores:

West Indies 127 for seven off 20 overs (Shanel Daley 48, Deandra Dottin 30, Juliana Nero 22; Shashikala Siriwardena 2-24) Sri Lanka 104 for eight off 20 overs (Shashikala Siriwardena 33 not out, Prasadani Weerakkodi 29; Stafanie Taylor 2-19, Anisa Mohammed 2-22)

--IANS/CMC

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