Lanning, Healy script emphatic win in series opener

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Playing their first ever ODI game in the Caribbean, Australia Women had a poor start as opener Rachael Haynes was dismissed by Shamilia Connell on the very first ball of the innings. What followed was a thoroughly dominating performance by the visitors, as centuries from wicket-keeper batter Healy and captain Lanning powered Australia to a mammoth 308/4 in 50 overs.

While Healy (122) registered her second ODI century, Lanning (121) became the fastest cricketer, male or female, to reach 13 ODI centuries. The 27-year-old reached the mark in just 76 innings, bettering South Africa batsman Hashim Amla, whose first 13 ODI tons had come from 83 innings.

Lanning also surpassed Alex Blackwell's tally of 3,492 ODI runs to become Australia's third-highest female run-scorer in ODI cricket, behind Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton. The 225-run stand was Australia's second highest for any wicket in ODIs, behind the 244 runs shared by Karen Rolton and Lisa Sthalekar against Ireland in Dublin in 2005.

As for the hosts, once three of the top four batters departed without troubling the scorers, leaving them precariously placed at 8/3 in only the second over, the target seemed well out of reach. Their innings had an identical start to that of Australia's, as Natasha McLean was trapped lbw by Megan Schutt in the very first ball of the chase.

Ellyse Perry continued her Ashes form, removing Stacy-Ann King and Kyshona Knight in the very next over. The all-rounder finished with 3/17 in her five overs, as West Indies were eventually bundled out for 130, giving Australia a massive 178-run win. Skipper Stafanie Taylor's 70 was the lone notable contribution in an innings which lasted just 37.3 overs. Healy was adjudged player of the match for her 105-ball 122.

The second ODI will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday, September 8.