The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have defeated the West Indies by three wickets in the first ODI at Hurstville Oval in Sydney today.
The Australian side won the toss and sent the West Indies in to bat first, with the visitors putting on 8-240 from their 50 overs. The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars chased down their set target with three balls to spare, finishing 7-241. Stafanie Taylor was named player of the match for her innings of 95 and figures of 2-45.
Opener Hayley Matthews (55) was impressive in her ODI debut, notching up a half century. She combined well with Taylor for a 74-run partnership before being caught out at long off by Megan Schutt. Taylor again anchored her side's innings with her knock of 95 before she was caught out by Nicole Bolton at backward point. Erin Osborne (3-43) picked up her first wickets of the series, while Kristen Beams was very economical, finishing 2-32 from her 10 overs.
Nicole Bolton joined the squad for the ODI Series and made an impact in her first outing, crafting a fine innings of 59. Bolton's wicket brought Ellyse Perry (53) and Meg Lanning (95) together at the crease and they proceeded to build a 105-run partnership to push their side's total closer to the set target. Along with Taylor, Shanel Daley (2-38) and Anisa Mohammed (2-39) also picked up two wickets each.
Today's win takes the Australian side to outright first at the top of the ICC Women's Championship table.