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New Zealand beat West Indies in the second semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to book their spot in the summit clash on Friday, October 18. The White Ferns will now face South Africa as the tournament will witness a new champion being crowned.
West Indies topped their group’s table and knocked inaugural champions England out of the semi-final race to book their spot in the top four. Facing New Zealand in the all-important clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Caribbean side put up a fighting performance. However, they had to face defeat in the final over of the game.
A good showing with the ball helped the Windies restrict their opponents to a decent total of 128/9 as Deandra Dottin registered 4/22 in her four-over quota. Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates were the top two scorers for the Women in Black and Blue, scoring 33 and 26 runs respectively.
The 129-run target looked easy to chase, but New Zealand bowlers had other plans. Eden Carson picked up the crucial wickets of Qiana Joseph and Shemaine Campbelle inside the powerplay, adding early pressure on the Caribbean side.
Skipper Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor, who returned to the XI after recovering from her injury, struggled to get going as NZ bowlers kept things under control. What followed next was absolute carnage by Deandra Dottin, who rose to the occasion to contribute with the bat after a four-fer in the first innings. She scored 33 runs in 22 balls.
New Zealand survive the storm in Deandra Dottin to book final berth
Dottin scored a chunk of runs during the chase and got her team close to a win. However, a change in strategy by New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine led to the former’s dismissal. After the West Indies all-rounder hit Leah Tahuhu for three sixes in the 16th over, Amelia Kerr was brought back into the attack for the 17th.
The spin-bowling all-rounder sent Dottin packing with a brilliant delivery and got her side back into the game. Zaida James and Afy Fletcher tried their best and stretched the game to the final over, with West Indies needing 15 to win off the last 6 deliveries.
New Zealand, who had an over-rate penalty, were one fielder short for the final over, but it was Bates who took charge with the ball. She dismissed James on the third delivery and eventually held West Indies to 120/8.
The White Ferns won the clash by eight runs and made it to the final for the first time since 2010. Both South Africa and New Zealand are in the hunt for their maiden T20 World Cup title. The tournament will now witness a new team being crowned World Champions in the format on Sunday, October 20.
