The West Indies Women had an encouraging start to their tour of South Africa on Tuesday (January 25), winning their warm-up match against a South African XI by 53 runs.

In the match played at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Caribbean women scored 202 all out in 46.5 overs and successfully defended it by dismissing the home side for 149 runs.

It was a result that put a smile on the face of head coach Courtney Walsh.

“I thought the girls did well, it was good to get out in the middle and play today. We haven’t played a lot of cricket of late so even though it was a practice match, the atmosphere and the execution was pretty good,” he said.

“Most of the girls had decent knocks and a decent bowl as well. What I was most impressed [with] was the two super-over practice scenarios we had as well, with how precise and good the execution was. This win will give us confidence going into the series but also for the World Cup.”

The West Indies Women owed their score to Shemaine Campbelle, who on only her second tour after returning from a back injury, scored a mature 42. She struck five fours in her 48-ball innings that helped set the platform for the visitors’ total.

There was also an encouraging knock of 30 from youngster Rashada Williams, who opened the batting with her more senior partner Deandra Dottin, who was dismissed for just four.

Kycia Knight contributed 21 from 35 deliveries while skipper Stafanie Taylor added 23 from 27.

Chinelle Henry, who struck 22 off 16 deliveries and included three fours and a six, provided some late impetus in the innings.

Nadine de Klerk was the best South African bowlers with 3-27 while Tumi Sekhukhune took 2-20.

The South African XI had a strong start to their innings Tazmin Brits (32) and Andrie Steyn taking on the opening bowling pair of Chinelle Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne. They raced to 50 runs in nine overs and looked set to putting their side on a path to victory.

However, a bowling change by the West Indies Women triggered a batting collapse, as the hosts lost four wickets in the space of six overs for 22 runs. Cherry Ann Fraser (3-11) and Jannellia Glasgow accounted for the wickets and the Maroon Warriors took control of the game.

Shamilia Connell then effected a run-out with a direct hit to send Masabata Klaas back to the hutch. Then, in her first delivery Shamilia Connell (2-13) trapped de Klerk lbw before wrapping up the innings when she had Nonkululeko Mlaba caught in the deep.

West Indies will return to the Imperial Wanderers Stadium on Friday, January 28 for the first of four One Day Internationals against South Africa Women. The day/night fixture is set to bowl off at 7 am Jamaica time.