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Cricket

West Indies Secure Semifinal Spot with a Thrilling Win Over England

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 15: Hayley Matthews of West Indies bats during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match between England and West Indies at Dubai International Stadium on October 15, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)

E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com

 Dubai, UAE (15-10-2024): Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews powered the West Indies into the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a commanding six-wicket win over England. Their aggressive half-centuries—Joseph scoring 52 and Matthews 50—enabled the 2016 champions to chase down England’s target of 142 with ease, sealing victory with two overs remaining and eliminating England from the tournament.

Despite Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 57 helping England post a competitive 141, Matthews and Joseph’s dazzling opening partnership ensured the West Indies coasted to their target. The West Indies progress from Group B alongside South Africa, both teams advancing due to superior net run rates, as all three—West Indies, South Africa, and England—finished on six points.

The group-topping West Indies will face New Zealand in the semifinals on Friday, while Australia will play South Africa in the first semifinal on Thursday.

England’s innings began cautiously, but openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge soon found rhythm, hitting boundaries in the early overs. However, West Indies quickly dismantled the partnership. Deandra Dottin’s brilliant catch off Hayley Matthews’ bowling sent Wyatt-Hodge back for 16, while Alice Capsey was run out for just 1 after a sharp throw from Dottin caught her short of her ground.

The early wickets tilted the momentum towards the West Indies, and when Bouchier was dismissed for 14, England found themselves struggling at 34 for three. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight then steadied the innings, adding vital runs, with Knight contributing a quickfire 21 from 13 balls before retiring hurt in the 13th over.

Amy Jones attempted to pick up where Knight left off, but she fell for 7, slicing a shot to Dottin at backward point off Afy Fletcher’s bowling. Though Charlie Dean was dropped soon after, she was caught for 5 a couple of overs later, Fletcher claiming her third wicket with a comfortable catch taken by Matthews at cover.

All the while, Sciver-Brunt kept England’s scoreboard ticking, reaching her half-century with two consecutive boundaries. Late contributions from Dani Gibson and Sophie Ecclestone, who both scored 7, helped England reach a total of 141, with Ecclestone hitting a six in the final over.

West Indies’ chase began explosively, with Matthews smashing 14 runs off the first over, including a six off the second ball. Joseph followed suit, hitting a boundary off her first ball, as West Indies raced to 44 in the first four overs. England had chances to break the partnership, but Capsey dropped Joseph on 31, and Bouchier missed another opportunity later in the innings.

Joseph’s powerful innings came to an end on 52 when she was caught by Wyatt-Hodge on the boundary, moments after surviving another dropped catch. Matthews, who had brought up her half-century shortly before, was dismissed two balls later by Sarah Glenn, leaving West Indies at 102 with two quick wickets.

Despite the brief wobble, Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle steadied the innings, edging their team closer to the target. Campbelle was run out for 5, and Dottin was bowled by Ecclestone for a rapid 27, but West Indies were already within touching distance of victory.

Aaliyah Alleyne finished the job with a boundary from her first ball, guiding West Indies to 142 with 12 balls to spare, securing a memorable win and a place in the semifinals.

Both the West Indies and South Africa have also secured their spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, alongside hosts England. Australia, New Zealand, and India have qualified from Group A. The remaining two teams will qualify based on the Women’s T20I rankings as of October 21, 2024, with four more teams advancing via a global 10-team qualifier.

Match Summary

England: 141/7 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 57*, Heather Knight 21; Afy Fletcher 3/21, Hayley Matthews 2/35)

West Indies: 142/4 in 18 overs (Qiana Joseph 52, Hayley Matthews 50; Sarah Glenn 1/20, Sophie Ecclestone 1/21)

Result: West Indies win by six wicket

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