Proteas Women know West Indies’ Deandra Dottin likes a Guinness World Records effort
The West Indies’ Deandra Dottin’s name is in the Guinness World Records for scoring the fastest T20 International century by a woman.
It was a blistering knock came at Warner Park in St Kitts at the 2010 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Dottin reaching the 100-mark in 38 balls, which included nine sixes and five fours. The second 50 came off just 12 balls, as she ended on 112 not out from 45 balls.
Who were the unlucky opponents that day, you ask? It was the Proteas Women, who had a front-row seat to the fireworks.
So, in 2022, there would have been some relieved South African bowlers when Dottin announced her retirement from the sport, after she cited a “non-conducive” environment within the West Indies Women’s cricket set-up. After scoring 3,727 runs in 143 One-Day Internationals and 2,697 runs in 127 T20I matches, she was disillusioned with the game in the Caribbean.
However, after a two-year break, Dottin is back to torment the Proteas, as the two teams gear up to face each other in their opening match of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Friday (12 noon start).
“I did miss international cricket. I missed the fun, the big stage. I had a good period of reflection. I was able to assess my future goals, and I realized I was missing something I love,” said Dottin, who was quoted by femalecricket.com.
“This [playing for the West Indies] is all I’ve been doing since my teens. It was really hard to stay away for a bit longer.”
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt is wary of Dottin’s threat going into the game and says they have made plans to counter the big-hitting West Indian, as well as the dangerous Halley Matthews.
“We had a good chat this morning about the opposition. It’s not a team that we can take lightly. I think you never really know what you’re going to get with the West Indies,” said Wolvaardt.
“They can chase down 250 in a T20I when Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin are on song. We’ll have to play our best cricket, and we’ve had a lot of good chats about their players.
“Deandra Dottin is back, she’s a world-class player. I don’t think she was there the last time we met them.
“Hayley Matthews is in the best form that she’s been in in a long time. She’s scored a lot since the last time we played them, so I think she’s the main wicket.
“If we can find a way to get her out or, if not, keep her quiet, it will be good for us.”
@JohnGoliath82