New Zealand secured a thrilling win against West Indies in Sharjah to reach the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Georgia Plimmer led the way for New Zealand, scoring 33 runs as they set a target of 129 for West Indies. The White Ferns’ spinners played a key role in their victory. Eden Carson took 3 wickets for 29 runs, and Melie Kerr impressed with 2 wickets for 14 runs. She also dismissed the dangerous Deandra Dottin, who had brought the game down to a tense finish under the Sharjah lights.
New Zealand will now face South Africa in the final, guaranteeing a new champion for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Semifinal 2 – West Indies Won the toss and Chose to Bowl
West Indies’ Hayley Matthews was pleased with the toss result, as she preferred to bowl first anyway. Her team kept things tight early on, with bowlers Chinelle Henry and Zaida James restricting New Zealand’s scoring in the first five overs.
By the end of the powerplay, New Zealand had reached 32/0, with Suzie Bates and her partner making it through without losing a wicket. After six overs, Bates hit a solid 26 from 28 balls before being bowled by Karishma Ramharack. Melie Kerr then joined the crease. By the 10-over mark, New Zealand was 54/1, but they lost two quick wickets just as they were gaining momentum.
Kerr was caught for 7 (11) off Deandra Dottin’s bowling, and Georgia Plimmer was stumped by Afy Fletcher after a promising 33 from 31 balls.
West Indies struck back with those two wickets, and there was a scare when Chinelle Henry was hit in the face by a ball while attempting a catch.
Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine helped push New Zealand toward a decent total with some quick running between the wickets, but both fell shortly after. Halliday was bowled for 18 (9), and Devine was caught for 12 (12). Maddy Green didn’t contribute much, getting out for just 3.
Important Cameo by Isabella Gaze
Wickets continued to fall in the later stages of the innings. Rosemary Mair was dismissed for 2, while Lea Tahuhu (6) and Eden Carson (0) were out in the final over. However, a lively 20* from 14 balls by Isabella Gaze helped lift New Zealand to 128/9, setting up an exciting second innings.
New Zealand Bowler Eden Carson’s bowling brilliance
New Zealand started strong with the ball, quickly taking control of the second innings. Eden Carson led the way, dismissing Qiana Joseph (12) and Shemaine Campbelle (3), forcing West Indies to rebuild during the powerplay.
Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor batted slowly to stabilize the innings, but the score reached only 41/2 in the ninth over. Carson struck again, bowling out Taylor for 13, putting New Zealand in a strong position. Lea Tahuhu then removed Matthews (15), leaving West Indies struggling at 52/4.
West Indies Fightback
West Indies’ hopes rested on Deandra Dottin, who hit three sixes in a single over, adding 23 runs off Tahuhu’s 16th over. But Melie Kerr’s return in the next over ended Dottin’s thrilling innings at 33, as she was caught by Fran Jonas. Chedean Nation, who replaced Chinelle Henry as a concussion substitute, was bowled for a duck, making the required run rate climb even higher.
However, the match wasn’t over. Zaida James joined Afy Fletcher, setting up a tense final over with 15 runs needed. Suzie Bates bowled the last over. Though James hit a four, Bates had the final say, bowling out James for 14, and with her dismissal, New Zealand sealed the win, ending West Indies’ hopes.
Also read : Kohli, Sarfaraz Lead India’s Fightback.
