St Kitts, March 30 – The West Indies have been fined 10 per cent of the match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their first women's ODI against Australia, which was held on Friday. Captain Hayley Matthews pleaded guilty to the offense and accepted the sanction, with the ICC saying that a formal hearing was not necessary.
"The sanction was imposed by Reon King of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees after the hosts were found to be two overs short of their target, taking into account the time allowances," the ICC said in its statement on Monday.
"Umpires Lauren Agenbag and Candace La Borde, third umpire Jacqueline Williams, and fourth umpire Maria Abbott leveled the charge," the ICC said in its statement on Monday.
The first game saw Australia emerge victorious over the West Indies by 103 runs, thanks to a strong all-round performance by the visitors. Australia currently hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after beating the West Indies by 90 runs on Sunday.
Returning to the side after recovering from a quad niggle, Beth Mooney anchored the innings with 65 off 104 balls after early wickets left Tahlia McGrath-led Australia vulnerable. Phoebe Litchfield (46) and Georgia Wareham (39) added runs before Nicola Carey (30) and Alana King (26) lifted the total to 269/7. Hayley led the West Indies bowling attack by picking three wickets.
The West Indies began brightly in pursuit of 270, with Hayley (45) and Qiana Joseph (29) leading the reply. But once Hayley fell, the chase collapsed for the West Indies as Australia's spinners tightened the screws as the hosts were bowled out for 179 in 46 overs. Georgia and Ashleigh Gardner took three wickets each while Alana King had one scalp against her name.