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ICC Women's T20 World Cup: New Zealand set up title clash with South Africa
19 Oct, 2024
New Zealand will face South Africa in Sunday’s final, meaning there is guaranteed to be a new winner of the Women’s T20 World Cup as none of the teams have won the title before
New Zealand scraped past West Indies by eight runs in Sharjah to reach Sunday’s final at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
After setting West Indies 129 to win, with Georgia Plimmer top-scoring with 33, the White Ferns spinners steered their team to victory.
Eden Carson bagged 3/29, while Melie Kerr showed all of her class with 2/14, including the wicket of the dangerous Deandra Dottin, who set up a nail-biting finish under lights in Sharjah.
New Zealand will face South Africa in Sunday’s final, meaning there is guaranteed to be a new winner of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
South Africa had thrashed Australia in the first semi-final on Friday, winning by eight wickets.
A solid start with the ball saw New Zealand take early control of the second innings, with Eden Carson in the thick of the action.
The early departure of Qiana Joseph (12 from 12) and Shemaine Campbelle (3 from 5) forced West Indies to rebuild in the powerplay, with the experienced pair of Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor looking to put together a platform.
The score had reached 41/2 in the ninth over, with plenty of work still to do, when Carson, who had taken the first two wickets, came back to strike again and clean up Taylor for 13 (20) to leave New Zealand in a strong position.
The White Ferns’ dominance became even greater when Lea Tahuhu grabbed the key wicket of Matthews (15 from 21) to leave West Indies on 52/4 and needing something special to reach Sunday’s final.
But while Deandra Dottin was out in the middle, West Indies always had hope, even with the required rate climbing by the over. And Dottin showed just why, unleashing three sixes in a massive over, slamming 23 runs off Tahuhu’s 16th to get the watching West Indians on their feet.
However, Sophie Devine rolled the dice by bringing Melie Kerr back for her final over to try and remove the big-hitter, and the gamble paid off, as Dottin skied a catch to Fran Jonas, shaking her head as she departed to a standing ovation after an excellent 33 from 22 balls.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, New Zealand, Eden Carson, South Africa, Final