The women's T20 World Cup will have a new champion as New Zealand edged past West Indies in the second semifinal of the 2024 edition tournament to set up a finale date with South Africa. The White Ferns survived the Deandra Dottin scare to register a close eight-run win at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 18.
The contest was an absolute humdinger with both teams looking to fight tooth and nail for the elusive finale spot. With the Windies needing 34 from the final 24 balls and Deandra hitting Lea Tahuhu for three sixes in an over, it looked like the White Ferns were gone. But Amelia Kerr came to get the big wicket. However, it was not over yet as Zaida James kept her team in the hunt. The 2016 champions needed 23 from the final 12 balls but New Zealand held their nerves.
This is only the third time New Zealand have reached the final of the Women's T20 World Cup after their last appearance in the final in 2010. Both times, they fell short on the final hurdle. South Africa have also not won a World Cup, being runners-up in 2023. The two teams will face each other in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 20 as a new winner will be crowned in Dubai.
New Zealand opted to bat first and made 128 on a pitch that was that slow. They might have been 15-20 runs short of a defendable score. However, the White Ferns kept losing wickets at regular intervals which made it hard for a flourishing finish. Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer provided a fine start with 48 for the opening stand but they kept losing wickets and could not build much momentum thereafter. Deandra Dottin was the star with the ball, having taken four wickets. But her day was ruined as her side ended on the wrong end.
West Indies Playing XI:
Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
New Zealand's Playing XI:
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas
