West Indies celebrate the wicket of England’s Amy Jones in Dunedin
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)England’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand suffered another blow overnight as they slumped to a second successive loss.
Looking to bounce back from their opening defeat by Australia, Heather Knight’s side were instead dramatically beaten by seven runs by West Indies at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
Chasing 226 in their second round-robin clash, England were all out for 218 in 48 overs, losing to West Indies - who also upset hosts New Zealand in their opener - at the World Cup for the very first time.
After they had lost three top-order batters in one Sophie Ecclestone (3-20) over, West Indies had Shemaine Campbelle (66) and Chedean Nation (45 not out) to thank for a fourth-wicket stand of 123 which helped them to a total of 225-6.
The islanders used eight bowlers to keep England at bay after a screamer of a one-handed catch from Deandra Dottin off the bowling of Shamilia Connell (3-38) had removed Lauren Winfield-Hill for 12 to give them their first breakthrough.
The England tailenders, rallied by Ecclestone's 33 not out, still looked like they would get the job done, however. New Zealand had thought the same heading into the final over needing six runs last Friday, only for Dottin to dismiss their last three batters.
This time it was spinner Anisa Mohammed who made the key intervention in the 48th over, running out Kate Cross for 27 and three balls later bowling Anya Shrubsole for a duck to leave England 218 all out.
"It is not something I like," West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor said of the dramatic finishes. "It was a bit nerve-wracking for me but I'm really happy that we turned out on the right side."
England, who lost their opening game to Australia by 12 runs, will have little respite over the next 11 days with the second-ranked South Africans, fourth-ranked India and hosts New Zealand their next three opponents.
Skipper Knight said she was not overly concerned. "We've lost two close games ... not too much concern, obviously a bit of frustration," she said. "We've got to be better and come back really up for that game against South Africa in Mount Maunganui."
