Australia Women continued their dominant run on tour, defeating West Indies Women by 90 runs in the second ODI to clinch the series with one match still remaining.
Chasing 270, the West Indies were bowled out for 179 in 46 overs, handing Australia their fifth consecutive victory of the tour. Having already won the T20I series 3-0, Australia are now well positioned to complete a clean sweep across all formats.
Mooney’s Return Steadies Australian Innings
Beth Mooney, who had sat out the first ODI due to injury, returned to the lineup and played a steadying innings of 65. Her contribution was central to Australia navigating through a difficult middle-order phase. At 140 for five, the innings was in danger of stalling, but Georgia Wareham contributed 39 and Nicola Carey finished unbeaten on 30 to help lift the side past 250. Alana King then added a brisk 26 not out at the end, helping Australia post 269 for seven from their 50 overs.
With captain Sophie Molineux resting, Tahlia McGrath led the side and chipped in with two wickets. However, it was the spin trio of Alana King, Georgia Wareham, and Ash Gardner who dismantled the West Indies chase through the middle overs. Their combined pressure generated consistent wicket-taking opportunities and denied the hosts any momentum.
West Indies Make Promising Start Before Collapse
West Indies, to their credit, started better than they had in previous games. Their opening pair put together a 50-run stand, the first time they had achieved that milestone against Australia in an ODI since 2014.
Qiana Joseph, on 29, was the first to depart, caught and bowled by Gardner. Hayley Matthews, who had earlier taken three wickets with the ball, threatened to anchor the chase and was looking set for a half-century. Instead, she miscued a lofted shot to the deep off McGrath and was dismissed for 45.
What followed was a rapid unravelling. Stafanie Taylor was clean bowled by Wareham, and in the very same over, Deandra Dottin edged behind to slip. Six deliveries accounted for two key wickets, and Australia quickly seized full control of the match.
West Indies slid from a promising 94 for two to 130 for nine, with Chinelle Henry, Shemaine Campbell, and Jahzara Claxton all departing in unconvincing fashion. Henry top-edged a sweep off Gardner, Campbell was run out following a breakdown in running between the wickets, and Claxton was trapped lbw after missing a full toss.
Afy Fletcher showed some fight at the end, finishing unbeaten on 32, though her resistance amounted to little more than a consolation given the magnitude of the collapse. The final total of 179 fell 90 runs short of what Australia had set.
Australia’s Record Against West Indies Reaches New Heights
From Australia’s perspective, this victory extends a remarkable recent record against the West Indies. It is their fourth consecutive bilateral ODI series win against them, and overall, Australia have won 19 of their last 20 matches against the Caribbean side. The form across this tour has been relentless and consistent, with multiple players contributing at different stages rather than the team relying on a single match-winner.
Third ODI: Australia Eye the Sweep
With the series already secured, Australia will turn their attention to the third and final ODI with the intention of completing a clean sweep. West Indies, who have now lost the series, will play for pride in what is already a dead rubber. Australia head into the final match with momentum, depth, and confidence, having dominated across both formats throughout this tour.
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