Friday Nov 22, 2024
Friday Nov 22, 2024
Thursday, 17 October 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
West Indies beat England by six wickets as Hayley Matthews’ side joined South Africa as the qualifying sides from Group B at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
West Indies delivered an extraordinary batting performance to beat England in Dubai, reaching the semi-finals and knocking out their opponents in the process.
Having been set a target of 142 to win, the opening pair of Captain Hayley Matthews (50) and Qiana Joseph (52) went on the attack, both scoring half-centuries in a blistering assault.
A rattled England dropped a host of chances, and their four wickets came far too late to stop the West Indies from wrapping up victory with two overs to spare.
Earlier, a Nat Sciver-Brunt special had left the Windies with that 142-run target.
West Indies had reduced England to 34/3, with Deandra Dottin starring in the field.
But a superb rebuild was led by Sciver-Brunt, who hit an unbeaten 57* from 50 balls to guide her team to 141/7.
Afy Fletcher was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, taking 3/21, while Dottin took 1/16 in three overs to go with three catches and a run out.
England lost Captain Heather Knight to a calf injury during the first innings, with the injured skipper only able to watch on during the second innings as her team unravelled.
The result means that West Indies will face New Zealand in Friday’s second semi-final, with South Africa the other team to progress from Group B. The Proteas will play defending champions Australia on Thursday.
The winners of Sunday’s final will receive the most prize money in the history of the tournament, with all four semi-finalists also in line for big boosts compared to previous World Cups.
