Deandra Dottin

St. Kitts' Warner Park Cricket stadium has again been written into cricket annals with record setting performances on the opening day of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2010 series.

The West Indies team set the pace for a thrilling series by defeating South Africa by 17 runs in the tournament's opening match on Wednesday. West Indies total of 175 for 5 was the highest total by any women's team in Twenty20 cricket.

Eighteen-year-old Barbadian Deandra Dottin produced one the greatest displays of power hitting as she re-wrote the women's record book by scoring the fastest century ever in Twenty20 cricket, men or women. She smashed nine sixes and seven fours while amassing her 112 runs in 38 balls, showing no signs of the sore ankle that kept her out of the warm-up matches and ODIs preceding the tournament.

"It feels really good to be the first woman to make a century in Twenty20 cricket and this record and win mean a lot. I am happy I did it for the team when we needed it most. People have been telling us that teams like Pakistan and Australia are two of the favorites to win. However, today we proved that we are here to win the cup in the Caribbean," Dottin said in a post game interview.

Dottin's century was not only the fastest made, but also the first ever by a woman in ICC World Twenty20 history. She shattered fellow West Indies player Chris Gayle's 2007 record of scoring 100 in 50 balls, also against South Africa in the opening match of ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg.

Ironically it was South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs who created Warner Park's first international cricket record when he made World Cup history by smashing 6 sixes in an over in March 2007.

The second game of the tournament's opening day was also filled with thrills as a double tie-breaker between Australia and England resulted in Australia being named winner by one six.

Clement O'Garro, Promotion and Corporate Services Officer, told The Observer that St. Kitts could not have had a better beginning to the tournament.

"It was a fantastic day all around for the West Indies team, the fans and the organizers. Everything went off with nary a glitch, and the more than 3,000 fans attending the matches could not have been more appreciative of the women's performances. I would also like to congratulate Deandra Dottin on her superb display of batting and new ICC World Cup record," he said.

O'Garro said that bumper crowds were expected for the upcoming days, especially coming off the exciting opening matches.

"Those who attended on Wednesday feel they were a part of a historical event and I'm sure no one out there wants to miss any of the exciting action expected during the tournament."

Day two of the tournament saw Sri Lanka take on Pakistan at 10 a.m. followed by New Zealand versus India. On Friday, Australia will come up against South Africa and the West Indies will face England in the afternoon match.

The cricket action continues this weekend with double-headers on Saturday and Sunday. India will face Pakistan and New Zealand and Sri Lanka will square off in Saturday's games. Sunday's slate will see the Windies women take on the Aussies following an England/South Africa match-up.

Cricket fans must collect tickets for free entry to games at the Warner Park ticketing booth located at East Park Range.