Cricket: Windies woman smashes record ton

BASSETERRE - West Indies batsman Deandra Dottin has smashed the fastest ever international century by a man or a woman in the opening game of the women's World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.

The Barbadian reached three figures in just 38 balls, hitting nine sixes and five fours as the hosts beat South Africa by 17 runs at Warner Park, St Kitts.

Dottin, batting at number six, beat the record held by compatriot Chris Gayle and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum as her side reached 5-175.

Gayle made a hundred in 50 balls also against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2007 and McCullum did likewise against Australia in Christchurch earlier this year.

Dottin's first 50 came off 25 balls, but her second 50 took just 13 deliveries.

Her sixth-wicket partnership of 118 with Shanel Daley is also the highest in any male or female match, comfortably beating the record of 77 set by Australia's Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey in Auckland in 2005.

South Africa's gallant chase, which saw them reach 158, with Shandre Fritz scoring 58, was the second-highest score by a side batting last in women's Twenty20 cricket.

- AAP