The history of Women’s One Day International (ODI) cricket between Australia and the West Indies is a chronicle of clinical dominance. Since their inaugural meeting in 1993, the two sides have faced off 18 times, with Australia emerging victorious in 16 of those encounters. This lopsided rivalry, characterised by Australian tactical precision and the West Indies’ occasional flashes of brilliance, has played out across World Cups and three intense bilateral series.
The World Cup foundations (1993–2009)
The roots of this rivalry were planted during the 1993 World Cup in England. In their first-ever meeting, the West Indies struggled against a relentless Australian attack, managing only 8/131 across a marathon 60 overs. Captain Gertrude Ann Browne played a lone hand, carrying her bat for an unbeaten 65. However, the story of the innings was Bronwyn Calver, whose bowling figures remain legendary: four wickets for just four runs, including eight maidens in 12 overs. Australia’s openers, Belinda Clark (53) and Julie Calvert (34), chased the target with 30.1 overs to spare, securing an eight-wicket win.
Twelve years passed before their next meeting at the 2005 World Cup in South Africa. Australia’s batting depth was on full display as they posted 230, fuelled by Karen Rolton’s 69 and Lisa Keightley’s 56. Despite disciplined bowling from Envis Williams (3/38), the West Indies’ response was muted. Juliana Nero top-scored with 40, but the team fell for 151, handing Australia a 79-run victory.
At the 2009 World Cup in Australia, the pattern continued. Australia posted 7/211, with contributions spread across the middle order, including Alex Blackwell (46 not out) and a young Ellyse Perry (36). The West Indies’ chase was spearheaded by Deandra Dottin (51) and Stafanie Taylor (32), but the Australian trio of Perry, Erin Osborne, and Lisa Sthalekar took two wickets apiece to restrict the visitors to 164, sealing a 47-run win.
The 2013 landmark:
Defeat and revenge
The year 2013 remains the most significant chapter in the West Indies’ history. During the 2013 World Cup in Mumbai, the Caribbean side finally broke the Australian hoodoo. In a low-scoring thriller at the Middle-Income Group Ground, the West Indies were bowled out for a paltry 164, with Deandra Dottin scoring a vital 60. However, the West Indian bowlers produced a masterclass in defence, skittling Australia for 156. Shanel Daley’s 3/21 and Stafanie Taylor’s 2/26 guided the West Indies to a historic eight-run victory.
The celebration was short-lived, as the two teams met again in the World Cup final at Brabourne Stadium. Australia, determined to avenge their group-stage loss, amassed 7/259. Jess Duffin (75) and Rachael Haynes (52) provided the platform, while Shaquana Quintyne took 3/27 for the Windies. In the high-pressure chase, the West Indies crumbled for 145. Ellyse Perry, despite an ankle injury, took 3/19 to secure Australia’s 114-run victory and the world title.
Bilateral battles and modern dominance
(2014–2019)
In 2014, the teams engaged in their first bilateral series in Australia. The hosts completed a 4-0 whitewash, though the West Indies showed significant fight in the opening game. Stafanie Taylor (95) and Hayley Matthews (55) helped the Windies post 240, but Meg Lanning’s match-winning 95 ensured a three-wicket win for the hosts. The subsequent games were less competitive, highlighted by Lanning’s blistering 135 not out in the third ODI and Ellyse Perry’s consistent all-round performances, which earned her the Player of the Series title.
The 2017 World Cup in England saw no shift in momentum. Australia chased down the West Indies’ 204 with ease, winning by eight wickets. Nicole Bolton (107 not out) and Beth Mooney (70) shared a 171-run opening stand that made the target look trivial.
In 2019, Australia toured the Caribbean for a second bilateral series, winning 3-0. The series was defined by record-breaking partnerships.
In the first ODI, Alyssa Healy (122) and Meg Lanning (121) put on 225 runs for the second wicket to post 308. The second game saw Ellyse Perry score an unbeaten 112 as Australia again crossed the 300 mark. The West Indies’ batting lacked the firepower to respond, losing by margins of 178 runs, 151 runs, and eight wickets, respectively.
Recent encounters
(2022–2023)
During the 2022 World Cup, Australia’s dominance remained absolute. In the group stage, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner took three wickets each to bowl the West Indies out for 131. Australia then met them again in the semifinal in Wellington. Alyssa Healy’s magnificent 129 and Rachael Haynes’ 85 powered Australia to 3/305. The West Indies were dismissed for 147, falling by 157 runs as Australia marched towards another trophy.
The most recent bilateral series in 2023 saw Australia win 2-0 at home. The West Indies’ batting struggles reached a nadir in the first game, where they were skittled for 83. While the second game in Melbourne was abandoned due to rain, the third game saw Australia’s bowlers, led by Annabel Sutherland (3/23), dismiss the West Indies for 103. Australia chased the target in just 15.3 overs, punctuating their 30-year history of superiority.
Throughout these 18 matches, players like Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, and Alyssa Healy have become the architects of Australian success, while the West Indies continue to search for the consistency required to repeat their lone 2013 triumph. Will the trend continue in the fourth bilateral series, March 27–April 2 in St Kitts and Nevis, with the Australians leading the three-match T20 series 2-0 at the time of writing?
