Taylor’s milestone, blazing 64 seal Windies’ 3-0 series sweep
Key Points(5)
- Stafanie Taylor combined a landmark bowling achievement with a match-winning batting display Wednesday as West Indies completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe with an emphatic eight-wicket victory at Takashinga Sports Club.
- Taylor became only the fourth woman in international T20 cricket to reach the dual milestone of 3,000 runs and 100 wickets, achieving the bowling landmark during a superb all-round performance that effectively decided the contest.
- She claimed 2-8 from her four overs before returning to dominate the chase with an unbeaten 64 from 39 balls, striking 11 boundaries as West Indies reached 143 for two with 18 balls remaining.
- Taylor strikes at the perfect moment Zimbabwe appeared positioned to build a competitive total after being sent in, with Kelis Ndhlovu providing the early impetus.
- Ndhlovu reached her fifth T20I half-century and attacked the West Indies bowlers throughout her 48-ball 63, which contained six fours and three sixes.
Stafanie Taylor combined a landmark bowling achievement with a match-winning batting display Wednesday as West Indies completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe with an emphatic eight-wicket victory at Takashinga Sports Club.
Taylor became only the fourth woman in international T20 cricket to reach the dual milestone of 3,000 runs and 100 wickets, achieving the bowling landmark during a superb all-round performance that effectively decided the contest.
She claimed 2-8 from her four overs before returning to dominate the chase with an unbeaten 64 from 39 balls, striking 11 boundaries as West Indies reached 143 for two with 18 balls remaining.
Taylor strikes at the perfect moment
Zimbabwe appeared positioned to build a competitive total after being sent in, with Kelis Ndhlovu providing the early impetus.
Ndhlovu reached her fifth T20I half-century and attacked the West Indies bowlers throughout her 48-ball 63, which contained six fours and three sixes. Her stroke-making helped Zimbabwe reach 40 for one during the powerplay.
Then Taylor entered the attack.
With only her second delivery, she removed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for seven, stumped by Mandy Mangru. More significantly, the dismissal gave Taylor her 100th T20I wicket and secured her place among an exclusive group of women to have reached both 3,000 runs and 100 wickets in the format.
Taylor was not finished.
She returned later to dismiss Chiedza Dhururu lbw for nine, completing a four-over spell in which she conceded only eight runs.
Jahzara Claxton added 2-35 as West Indies kept Zimbabwe under pressure despite a late acceleration.
Ndhlovu and Christine Mutasa combined for 40 from 27 balls, helping Zimbabwe collect 41 runs during the final four overs and finish on 142 for six.
Claxton and Taylor turn chase into rout
The West Indies response began steadily, with Claxton providing the early stability.
She scored a composed 38 from 37 balls and, after Realeanna Grimmond contributed 17, joined Taylor in a decisive 71-run, second-wicket partnership.
The middle overs proved to be the turning point.
From overs seven through 16, Zimbabwe could manage only 61 for three, while West Indies exploded for 85 runs while losing just Claxton, who was bowled by Beloved Biza.
Taylor's acceleration made the difference.
Having established the chase, she shifted through the gears and repeatedly found the boundary to take the game away from the hosts.
Taylor finishes the job
Once Taylor took control, there was little prospect of a Zimbabwe comeback.
She reached 64 not out from only 39 deliveries, with 11 boundaries, and then combined with Janillea Glasgow to finish the job in emphatic fashion.
The pair added an unbeaten 53 for the third wicket, with Glasgow contributing 15 not out.
West Indies crossed the finish line at 143 for two with 18 deliveries to spare, completing a comprehensive series sweep.
For Taylor, the victory provided the perfect setting for a historic achievement: 100 T20I wickets added to her already formidable record as one of the format's leading run-scorers.
The veteran's milestone was backed by an all-round performance that ensured the West Indies closed the series without dropping a match.
