BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – After a disappointing dismissal in the second One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh, Deandra Dottin took to the crease in the first T20 International with a vengeance—and made history in the process.
The 33-year-old powerhouse unleashed an explosive 21-ball half-century, blasting seven towering sixes to propel West Indies Women to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women at Warner Park on Monday.
Dottin’s blistering knock etched her name in the record books, setting the fastest T20I half-century ever by a West Indies woman and tying for the fifth-fastest in Women’s T20 internationals. Her seven sixes also rank among the top six most hit in a single Women’s T20I innings.
Reflecting on her breath-taking innings, Dottin revealed that she had stepped onto the field with a point to prove.
“I basically came out with a little vengeance after getting out early in one of the ODIs,” she admitted with a laugh in a post-match interview. “So I just said, I was coming out to beat ball. It’s either I get them, or they get me.”
A happy hunting ground for Dottin
Beyond the thrill of redemption, Dottin found extra satisfaction in her dominant display at Warner Park, a venue where she has fond memories.
“I think this is my favorite venue in the Caribbean, especially after the 2010 World Cup and scoring the fastest hundred,” she reminisced.
Her knock was a statement performance, coming on the heels of West Indies’ disappointing loss in the second ODI, which nearly cost them the series.
In that match, Dottin had been caught behind for just two runs off five deliveries, as West Indies collapsed to 124 all out, falling well short of Bangladesh’s modest 184-run total. The Caribbean side, however, rebounded to clinch the ODI series 2-1, setting the stage for Dottin’s T20 fireworks.
Dottin extends her legacy
Monday’s breath-taking innings reinforced Dottin’s status as one of the most dangerous hitters in Women’s T20 cricket.
With 124 sixes in 137 matches, the Barbadian star stands alone as the format’s most prolific six-hitter. She leads New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, who has 114 sixes in 143 games, and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, who trails with 88 sixes in as many matches.
Despite her natural power-hitting ability, Dottin emphasized that her approach varies based on pitch conditions and the opposition’s bowling attack.
“Sometimes I get off to a fast start, sometimes I don’t. It’s just about assessing the pitch and feeling out the bowlers,” she explained. “I like to get them comfortable, give them a false sense of security, and then go after them.”
Her T20 strategy is as much about psychology as it is about technique, as she meticulously chooses when and where to attack.
“Just like how I started tonight, I got comfortable and then picked my areas to hit the ball,” she elaborated. “It’s about backing yourself, assessing conditions quickly, and targeting the weaker bowlers.”
Ultimately, Dottin’s philosophy is one of self-belief and unyielding determination.
“It all boils down to believing in yourself, having that determination, and wanting it more,” she concluded.
