BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Before a single ball was bowled in the Women T20 International Tri Series, Deandra Dottin said her goal was to win the “top player” award.
Deandra Dottin took the player of the series award. Photo: (ICC/SOLARIS IMAGES)
She achieved her goal and on Saturday when she proudly accepted the Virgin Atlantic Player of the Series Award from West Indies legend Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner.
Dottin, the powerful right-hander, was in fine form during the tournament, powering the Windies to a superb series triumph. The 22-year-old made a blistering 46 not out in Saturday’s night final to pilot the home side an eight-wicket win over England.
She ended the tournament with 156 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 133.33 to win the Virgin Atlantic Player of the Series award. After the match she was showered with praise by the crowd of 4,000.
Dottin thanked the fans for their support and also said it was special to receive the prize from Garner.
“The crowds have been fantastic throughout…[it was] really good to see the way the people come out and supported the teams in this tournament. We really tried hard to make them happy and give them something to ‘jump up’ for,” Dottin said.
“For me, from the start, I always said I wanted to win the Player of the Series award and I was glad I managed to pull it off. This award means a lot to me. In this tournament I was able to settle down and play my natural game.”
During the West Indies run chase, Dottin came to the crease with the score at 41-2 in the seventh over, and dominated an unbroken third wicket stand of 78 with Stafanie Taylor – who again played well for 51 not out – to take the Player of the Match award.
“Stafanie is ‘safe’…she’s our best player and she was just looking to bat through to the end of the innings. She gave me some good advice when I came in and told me to go for my shots,” Dottin said.
“She told me to ‘free up’ and play my natural game and have some fun out there. She’s one of the persons in the team that we look up to and she always does the job…with bat and ball. I knew once I got going it would help take some of the pressure off her.
“When I hit the final four to win the match I felt great. It was a nice feeling to help us to win in front of our supporters.”