Women's T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand reach third final after beating West Indies in final-over thriller

New Zealand Women reached the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final after beating the 2016 champions West Indies Women by eight runs in the second semi-final of the tournament. 

New Zealand Women captain Sophie Devine chose to bat first after winning the toss in the second semi-final at Sharjah. The White Ferns scored 128/9 at the end of the first innings. In reply, West Indies Women were restricted to 120/8 in 20 overs.

Strong opening partnership

New Zealand openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer set up a good start. While the White Ferns scored 32/0, the first wicket partnership was for 48 runs. While Bates scored 26 runs, Plimmer scored 33 off 31 balls with the help of three fours and one six. 

Deandra Dottin dominated with the ball

While New Zealand lost their wickets regularly, Caribbean bowlers were enjoying the post-powerplay. Deandra Dottin took four wickets and Afy Fletcher got two wickets, as New Zealand were struggling at 104/7 after losing the last four wickets only for eight runs. 

The wicketkeeper-batter Isabella Gaze scored 20 not out off 14 balls, and it helped New Zealand Women to cross the 120-run mark. 

West Indies struggled from the beginning

In the powerplay, West Indies lost two wickets and scored 25 runs. Stafanie Taylor (13) was dismissed after the powerplay as Eden Carson took all first three wickets. 

Captain and opener Hayley Matthews lost her wicket in the 11th over as Lea Tahuhu dismissed her for 15 runs. 

By dismissing Aaliyah Alleyne (4), Amelia Kerr made the opposition scoreline 63/5 in 13.4 overs.

Deandra Dottin suddenly changed the situation

During the complete struggle moment, Deandra Dottin brought back the Caribbean team into the game after smashing three sixes to Tahuhu in the 16th over. 

Amelia Kerr was once again a star

Once again, Amelia Kerr had a crucial role in the New Zealand bowling line-up by dismissing the game-changer Dottin for 33 runs off 22 balls in the 17th over. 

Although Afy Fletcher (17*) and Zaida James (14) fought hard at the end, the Caribbean team was just short of the target.

While Eden Carson finished the match with the bowling figures of 4-0-29-3, Amelia Kerr again played a star bowler role with the bowling figures 4-0-14-2, where she delivered 15 dot balls.

In the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, New Zealand Women will face South Africa Women. While South Africa Women were the runners-up in the last edition, New Zealand women recorded two consecutive runners-up in the first two editions. So, it is confirmed that we will get a new champion in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.