Argentina win thriller in Women's International with Brazil

Argentina celebrate a 4-wicket victory over Brasil in the first of a three-match 20/20 series being played in Curitiba, Brasil © ICC

In the first of a three-match 20/20 women's international series between Brasil and Argentina played in Curitiba, Brasil, today, Argentina took a 1-0 lead in the series after a thrilling last-over four-wicket victory.

The match marked the first-ever official encounter between women's teams from Latin America, as well as marking Brasil's international women's debut. The matches will all be played on the HSBC Ground in Curitiba, with brand-new synthetic pitch and net facility thanks to support from the MCC and ICC.

The Brasilians showed no signs of debut nerves as skipper Erika Reinehr boldly elected to bat on winning the toss, and thanks to a solid second-wicket partnership between her and opener Juliana Brito, were well placed at 39 for 1 at one stage. However, with the dismissals of Reinehr for 13, and the unfortunate run out of top-scorer Brito, with 20, Argentina fought back well and restricted Brasil to 59 for 6 in 20 overs. Pick of the Argentine bowlers was Alison Prince with 3 for 5 in 4 overs.

However, the match soon tilted back in Brasil's favour as Argentina were reduced to 33 for 6, with Sabrina Tisbierek, 2-11, Carolina Moraes, 1-14 and skipper Reinehr, 1-12, all bowling well. Only Argentina captain Veronica Vasquez, with 11, reached double figures of the top-order batting.

Once again though, Argentina staged a dramatic fightback as Elena Garcia Favre and Shirley Seaton whittled away at the target, ultimately taking Argentina to victory with 5 balls to spare in the final 20th over. Garcia Favre ended unbeaten on 11, and Seaton was not out 10, including two crucial fours.

Catalina Greloni of Argentina bowling with Erika Reinehr backing-up © ICC

Thus a four-wicket win to Argentina to go one up with two to play. Argentina have recently taken part in the Americas Championship in Toronto, Canada, where they performed with great credit. The team currently in action in Curitiba contains only two of that squad as they look to blood more talent at international level.

For Brasil they will undoubtedly be disappointed at the narrow defeat, but will nevertheless be buoyant after a fine display at their first opportunity against more experienced opposition, and the next two games, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, should be entertaining and close-fought encounters.