Phoebe Litchfield’s 77 and Georgia Wareham’s all-round brilliance power Australia to record ODI total in the Caribbean

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Australia Women continued their dominant run with a comprehensive 103-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI in St Kitts, despite a fighting unbeaten century from Stafanie Taylor. The visitors posted a massive 341, the highest women’s ODI total recorded in the Caribbean, before restricting West Indies to 238 for 8 in 50 overs.

Opener Phoebe Litchfield led the charge with a fluent 77, while five other Australian batters contributed scores in the 40s, showcasing the team’s batting depth. At 166 for 1 midway through the innings, Australia looked set for an even bigger total, but a brief collapse saw them lose three wickets for 20 runs. Nicola Carey and captain Sophie Molineux then steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership, although Molineux struggled to accelerate. Carey narrowly missed her maiden ODI half-century, falling for 49.

Georgia Wareham delivered a standout all-round performance, smashing 42 off just 21 balls, including five fours and two sixes, and later picking up 1 for 39 with the ball. She was deservedly named Player of the Match. Kim Garth also impressed, claiming 3 for 37 and removing both West Indies openers early in the chase.

For West Indies, Stafanie Taylor was the lone bright spot, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 105 off 129 balls. Her knock, which included 10 boundaries and a six, marked her eighth ODI century and her first against Australia since 2021. Taylor brought up her hundred in the 47th over but had a close call in the nervous nineties when a misjudged single nearly resulted in a run-out.

Australia’s performance was even more impressive given the changes in their lineup, with five alterations from the side that faced India earlier this month. Tahlia Wilson, who came in for the injured Beth Mooney, had a memorable ODI debut, highlighted by a sharp stumping behind the wickets.

Having already swept the T20I series, Australia now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0, continuing their stronghold over West Indies in international cricket.