Schutt, Lanning power Australia to win in T20I opener

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It helped Australia continue their victorious run on their tour of the West Indies, coming on the back of their 3-0 win in the preceding ICC Women's Championship one-day internationals.

Schutt, who made history in the last ODI by picking up her second international hat-trick, becoming the first woman to do so, was again lethal with the new ball. She dismissed Britney Cooper for a three-ball duck in the very first over of the innings, and then caught Reniece Boyce for six off her own bowling in her second over.

West Indies lost their second opener Kyshona Knight to a run out and they never really recovered from the poor start, despite captain Stafanie Taylor's valiant 44*. Wickets tumbled rapidly, with only Natasha McLean (13), debutants Sheneta Grimmond (15) and Shabika Gajnabi (10) offering any support.

Australia's chase didn't get off to the brightest start either, with Beth Mooney falling for four in the second over to Chinelle Henry. Henry also accounted for the dangerous Alyssa Healy for 12 in her next over, leaving Australia in some early trouble at 19/2.

But Lanning's arrival eased the situation for the visitors. Ellyse Perry did well to just rotate the strike, scoring just 14 in a 57-run partnership for the third wicket, before getting trapped in front by Fletcher.

Gajnabi had her maiden international wicket, when she dismissed Ashleigh Garnder for 13, but Australia were within touching distance of the target by then. Lanning made sure to stay till the end, scoring a run-a-ball 54 in the process, to be named Player of the Match.

The second T20I will be played on Tuesday, 17 September at the same venue.