Dottin scores half century but Windies women lose first T20 International against England

Despite a top score of 69 from all-rounder Deandra Dottin, the West Indies women went down by 47 runs to England's women in the first encounter of their 5-match T20 series at the Incora County Ground in Derby on Monday.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, the English got off to a good start at 43 for 1 before losing Danni Wyatt for 17. Opener Tammi Beaumont was then joined by captain Heather Knight and the two put on 51 for the third wicket.

Knight eventually went for 25 and Beaumont shortly after for a top score of 62 from 49 balls. And athough Amy Jones' 24 from just 16 balls was the only other score in double figures for the hosts, they still posted a formidable 163-8.

Shakera Selman took 3-26, Hayley Matthews 2-25 and Stafanie Taylor 2-34. 

The Windies women didn't start well at 9-1, as Matthews fell for just 3. Taylor went for only 8 off 14 balls, Leann Kirby 7 off 13 and Shemaine Campbell 9 off 14, but Dottin was the mainstay of the innings with her 69 coming from just 59 balls.

She was the only player to get into double figures as the Windies women were eventually restricted to 116-6.

Dottin said the team allowed the English to bowl too many dot balls in their chase. The second match will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.