First ever century by a woman cricketer in Twenty20 cricket, the Barbadian struck seven fours and nine sixes to finish 112 not out against South Africa.
Deandra Dottin
Deandra Dottin produced one the greatest display of power hitting as she re-wrote the women’s record book in the opening game of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2010 blasting an unbeaten 112 – the first ever century by a woman in this format of the game.
The Barbadian Dottin scored the fastest ever Twenty20 century, reaching three figures in just 38 balls hitting nine enormous sixes and five fours as the hosts West Indies beat South Africa by 17 runs at Warner Park in St Kitts.
Dottin, batting at number six, took the record for the fastest ever century by either a man or a woman in ICC World Twenty20 cricket beating West Indies compatriot Chris Gayle, who made a hundred in 50 balls also against South Africa in the opening match of ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg in 2007. Her first 50 came in 25 balls – three more than her own record of 22 balls set last year – but the second 50 took just 13 deliveries.
Dottin’s sixth wicket partnership of 118 with Shanel Daley is also the highest in any male or female Twenty20 match comfortably beating the record of 77 set by Australia’s Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey in Auckland in 2005 and also equaled the second highest partnership ever in women’s Twenty20 cricket
West Indies total of 175-5 was also the highest total by any women’s team in this format while South Africa’s gallant chase, in which Shandre Fritz scored 58, was the second highest score by a side batting second in women’s Twenty20 cricket.
In the second match of the day Australia beat holders England on the boundary count back after both the game and the super over were tied. Defending a modest total of 104 all out, England secured the tie when Beth Morgan ran out Rene Farrell with the scores level. In the super over both sides scored six for two and on count back Jess Cameron’s six, in Australia’s initial run chase, off England’s Holly Colvin, the only one hit by either side, secured Australia a thrilling victory.
Alex Blackwell, the Australian captain, said afterwards: “It was an extremely tense game but I was very proud of the way that we bowled and in the end I think we deserved our victory.”
Australia’s Lisa Sthalekar was voted player of the match after taking three for 29.