Indian eves beat WI by 57 runs in decider, clinch series 3-2

Rajkot, Jan 19 (PTI) A vital knock of 47 by lower-orderbatsman Amita Sharma and a disciplined performance by thebowlers helped Indian women beat West Indies by 57 runs in thefinal ODI and clinch the series 3-2.

Electing to bat first, the hosts made 188 for nine intheir allotted 50 overs, and then bundled out West Indies for131 in 45.4 overs.

India did not enjoy a good start as the visitors madefull use of the early morning moisture, reducing the hosts to65 for five. However, Amita (47 runs, 43b, 3x4), in thecompany of Rumeli Dhar (32) and skipper Jhulan Goswami (16),guided the team to a fighting total.

For West Indies, Tremayne Smartt was the most successfulbowler with figures of two for 27.

Defending a modest score, Jhulan gave India a good startsending back the in-form Stefanie Taylor (2) and rival skipperMerissa Aguilleria (0) within no time.

Amita removed Juliana Nero (8) from the other end.

Shanel Daley tried to stabilise the ship by scoring 63off 112 balls with the help of six fours, but her efforts werenot enough as the hosts bowled a tight line, rarely allowingthem to score freely.

Apart from Daley, only Deandra Dottin (21) and AnishaMohmmad (16) could reach double digits.

For India, Priyanka Roy was the wrecker in chief taking3-26, while Jhulan Goswami and Gouhar Sultana bagged twowickets each giving away 22 runs and 25 runs respectively.

Brief Scores: India 188 for 9 wickets in 50 overs (AmitaSharma 47 not out, Priyanka Roy 33, Rumeli Dhar 32, MithaliRaj 22, Tremayne Smartt 2-27) beat West Indies 131 in 45.4overs (Shanel Daley 63, Deandra Dottin 21, Anisha Mohmmad 16,Priyanka Roy 3-26, Jhulan Goswami 2-22, Gouhar Sultana 2-25).