Chinelle Henry stars as West Indies open T20 World Cup 2024 account

West Indies bagged a six-wicket victory over T20 World Cup debutants Scotland on Sunday (October 6) in Dubai to secure their first two points and climb atop the Group B points table. This win is a huge boost for the Windies as their net run rate (NRR) has risen to 1.154.

Scotland won the toss and Kathryn Bryce opted to bat first. It was another shaky start from the side as the West Indies bowling attack were rampant from the beginning. Skipper Hayley Matthews took the wicket of Saskia Horley, becoming the fastest player to reach 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20I history. Vice-captain Sarah Bryce was removed by Chinelle Henry for just two runs in the very next over. The power play ended with Scotland scoring just 25 runs.

Kathryn and Alisa Lister were almost about to put together 50 runs, despite playing at a slow run rate. But the partnership was interrupted by leg-spinner Afy Fletcher who struck twice in a row, getting rid of Lister for 26 runs and Priyanaz Chatterji for a golden duck. The Scottish skipper soon followed the way of the departed as Fletcher claimed her third wicket. 

Lorna Jack-Brown was the sixth batter to leave the crease after getting involved in a mix-up with Darcey Carter. She, too, got dismissed in the final over along with Rachel Slater, with Scotland scoring 99 runs at the loss of eight wickets.

Stafanie Taylor, who was West Indies' highest-run getter in their previous match against the Proteas, opened the innings this time. She lost her wicket to Slater in the first over after hitting a four. New batter Qiana Joseph took the aggressive approach and smashed a six and a couple of boundaries. But Matthews had another unsuccessful show with the bat, scoring eight runs off 19 balls. Joseph's bright start gave West Indies an extra advantage in a chase which already appeared one-sided. A total of 46 runs were scored in the first six overs.

Olivia Bell came to the attack after the powerplay, and instantly got rid of Shemaine Campbelle. She removed the dangerous Joseph in her second over as well. Deandra Dottin and Henry continued the aggressive approach taken by the left-hander, with the former hitting two sixes and a four to finish things off for the Windies with 50 balls to spare. Henry was awarded the Player of the Match for her immaculate bowling performance and cameo with the bat. She took a wicket and conceded just 10 runs in her four-over spell, also bowling two maidens. 

West Indies are currently sitting at the top of the Group B table, but will lose that spot since England and South Africa will face each other on Monday (October 7). They both won their first games, and one of them have the chance to win two in two. But a win with a good margin could possibly aid the Windies towards the end of the group stage fixtures. 

Brief scores: Scotland 99/8 in 20 overs (Alisa Lister 26, Kathryn Bryce 25; Afy Fletcher 3/22, Chinelle Henry 1/10) lost to West Indies 101/4 in 11.4 overs (Qiana Joseph 31, Deandra Dottin 28*; Olivia Bell 2/18). POTM: Chinelle Henry