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Eden Carson’s brilliant three-wicket haul overshadowed Deandra Dottin’s stellar all-round performance, as New Zealand edged West Indies by eight runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. With this victory, the White Ferns advanced to the final, where they will face South Africa. A new champion will soon be crowned in this prestigious tournament.
After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first, fielding an unchanged XI from their previous game. West Indies, meanwhile, brought in the experienced Stafanie Taylor, who replaced Chedean Nation. Taylor, recovering from a knee injury, had missed the last group match.
The White Ferns openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, gave a steady start, putting up 32 runs in the first six overs. However, the West Indies spinners soon made their mark. Karishma Ramharack broke the partnership, dismissing Bates, who fell for 26 off 28 balls after attempting an ill-timed reverse sweep.
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Afy Fletcher then joined the action, taking two wickets for 23 runs in her three overs. But the standout bowler was Dottin. She wreaked havoc with figures of 4/22, claiming the scalps of Amelia Kerr (7), Maddy Green (3), Brooke Halliday (18) and Rosemary Mair (2). Her clever variations, especially the slower balls and a deadly yorker, left the White Ferns’ batters struggling.
New Zealand could only manage 96 runs for nine wickets in the last 14 overs, as the Windies bowlers kept them under pressure. Plimmer top-scored with 33 off 31 balls, while Halliday contributed 18 at a strike rate of 200, and Isabella Gaze remained unbeaten on 20 with a strike rate of 142.85. However, there was a scare when the ball struck Chinelle Henry’s face in the 12th over. She was quickly treated by physios and left the field in visible discomfort.
On a slow Sharjah pitch, spinners were always going to be key, and Eden Carson delivered. She struck early, dismissing Qiana Joseph (12), Shemaine Campbelle (3), and Taylor (13) in her first three overs. With pressure mounting, the responsibility fell to Hayley Matthews and Dottin. Chasing 81 from the last 10 overs, the West Indies skipper Matthews fell for 15 to Lea Tahuhu, leaving Dottin with a mountain to climb.
In the last five overs, the Windies needed 57 runs off 30 balls. Dottin smashed three sixes in a single over from Tahuhu, reducing the equation to 34 off 24 balls. However, hopes were dashed when Dottin, after a whirlwind 33 off 22 deliveries, was caught off Amelia Kerr’s bowling. Her top edge found the safe hands of Fran Jonas.
Nation, who replaced Henry as a concussion substitute, came out to bat, but it was Zaida James who gave West Indies a glimmer of hope. Her quick-fire 14 off eight balls threatened a late surge, but it was not enough. West Indies finished on 120/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by eight runs.
Brief scores: New Zealand 128/9 in 20 overs (Georgia Plimmer 33; Deandra Dottin 4/22) won against West Indies 120/8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 33; Eden Carson 3-29) by 8 runs.
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