West Indies Women defeated defending ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions, England, by seven runs in a nail-biting match at the University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday (March 9).

In a see-saw encounter, the West Indies Women won the toss and batted first, making 225-6 from their 50 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 66 from Player of the Match Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation, who narrowly missed out on her first Cricket World Cup half-century, finishing on 49 not out.

Earlier in the innings, Hayley Matthews scored 45 runs and Deandra Dottin 31 as the West Indies opened with a stand of 81.

Bowling for England, Sophie Ecclestone finished with figures of 3-20 from her 10 overs, while Nat Sciver was next best with 1-49.

England were bowled out for 218 in 47.4 overs with Tammy Beaumont their top-scorer with 46, followed by Sophia Dunkley with 38.

Shamilia Connell was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3-38 from 10 overs but it was the heroics of Anisa Mohammed who took 2-24 that won the match for the West Indies.

“To win two games against two of the top teams in this tournament is definitely a motivation for us and it is confidence for us knowing we can defeat top teams,” the vice-captain said afterwards.

 “There are a lot of game-changers on this team so it was good seeing some of us put up our hands and take us over the line. I know a lot of teams are counting us as underdogs, we have nothing to lose. It’s a matter of us keep believing in each other and that we can win matches and I’m sure we have quite a lot of teams to surprise in this tournament.”

The West Indies Women will travel to Hamilton next, where they will take on India on March 12 in a day/night encounter at Seddon Park.

The West Indies won their opening match over hosts New Zealand by three runs and puts them level on points with Australia at the top of the standings. However, Australia Women, who also have two wins from two starts, have a better net run rate than the West Indies Women.