World T20: West Indies shock Australia to win their maiden women's title

In what turned out to be a thrilling encounter, the women's cricket team from West Indies clinched their maiden ICC World T20 title with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over favourites Australia in the final at the Eden Gardens on 3 April.

Openers Hayley Matthews (66) and Stefanie Taylor (59) anchored the magnificent run-chase as Windies notched up Australia's total of 148 runs with eight wickets and three balls to spare.

Here's the winning moment for #WI Women!!#WT20 #WT20Finalhttps://t.co/sVKTnitkPN

- ICC (@ICC) 3 April 2016

West Indies got off to a blazing start with their openers adding 120 runs for the first wicket. Right-handed Matthews was the most explosive among the West Indies openers, scoring six boundaries and three towering sixes in her 45-ball quickfire innings.

While Matthews was running amok against Oz bowlers, skipper Taylor played the second fiddle and slammed six boundaries while scoring at a strike-rate of 103.50 in her 57-ball knock. Their partnership was brought to an end by spinner Kristen Beams who got Matthews caught by Alex Blackwell in the 16th over.

Darren Sammy and company are out to celebrate with the #Champions. Amazing scenes! Well done #WI! #WT20 pic.twitter.com/hQDzEW3sNY

- ICC (@ICC) 3 April 2016

However, the breakthrough didn't really help Australia's cause as Deandra Dottin (18*) struck a 24-run partnership with her captain to get the Windies closer to the target. A captain's knock from Taylor came to an end in the 19th over when seamer Rene Farrell got her caught at point by Jess Jonassen.

With just three runs to get in the final over, the women from the Caribbean achieved the target in the first three balls with Britney Cooper (3*) scoring the winning runs.

Australia, who were looking to win their fourth women's World T20 title, fell short against the batting might of West Indies. Megan Schutt, who conceded 26 runs at an economy of 8.66, and Farrell proved a tad too expensive for Australia, while Beams (1-27) was the pick of their bowlers.

Elyse Villani (52) and Meg Lanning (52) helped the Aussies to post a competitive total in the first innings of the match. All-rounder Ellyse Perry (28) also played a crucial innings to bosst the total for her side.

After their U-19 World Cup win earlier this year and now the women's triumph in World T20, West Indies will be looking to make it three in a row when their men's team takes on England in the final at Eden Gardens later in the day.