Nine’s Wide World of Sports
Suzie Bates held her nerve in the final over as New Zealand advanced to the Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time in 14 years with an eight-run victory over West Indies.
Bates (1-6) bowled her only over with West Indies needing 15 more runs to win the sem-ifinal match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The right-arm medium conceded a four off the first delivery before taking a wicket and conceding only two runs in the rest of the over.
Eden Carson took 3-29, while Amelia Kerr picked up 2-14 in four overs, as New Zealand restricted West Indies' chase to 8-120 in 20 overs. This was after 2016 champion West Indies had bowled well enough to restrain New Zealand to a competitive 9-128 after the White Ferns chose to bat first.
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New Zealand is twice runners-up in this tournament – 2009 and 2010.
It will now take on South Africa in the final at Dubai, where a first-time champion will be crowned.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, still trying to get my brain back after being a bit fried out there," said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.
"But it is a real privilege to lead the side to a World Cup final.
"I am proud of the resilience and character of the team over the last 12-18 months."
She added: "Results haven't gone our way but the belief has always been there. We are really excited about the final. We have nothing to lose. We are going to win this thing now."
Suzie Bates of New Zealand celebrates with teammates Sophie Devine and Georgia Plimmer after taking the wicket of Shemaine Campbelle of West Indies (not pictured) during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi-Final 2024 match between West Indies and New Zealand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2024 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) Getty
South Africa stunned defending champion Australia in the first semi-final, winning by eight wickets to reach its second straight final.
Earlier, Bates had led a fine opening charge with 26 runs off 28 balls, and put on 48 off 50 with Georgia Plimmer.
Plimmer top scored for New Zealand with a 31-ball 33, including her team's only six and three fours. After Bates’ dismissal in the ninth over, Plimmer held the innings together as New Zealand lost Amelia Kerr (7) and skipper Sophie Devine (12) cheaply.
West Indies' Deandra Dottin produced an all-round performance on the night, starting with 4-22 in four overs. She had sent back Kerr, and then claimed another three wickets through the lower-middle order.
Dottin had support from Afy Fletcher, who took 2-23, as the duo squeezed runs late into the New Zealand innings.
Brooke Halliday scored 18 off nine balls, while Isabella Gaze’s 20 not out off 14 balls helped her team reach a defendable total.
In reply, West Indies looked for a quick start but it didn’t happen as Carson bowled Qiana Joseph for 12. Lea Tahuhu proved expensive overall (1-33 in three overs), but picked up the vital early wicket of skipper Hayley Matthews (15).
Off-spinner Carson didn’t allow West Indies’ big hitters to get going. Shemaine Campbelle was out caught for three, while Carson bowled Stefanie Taylor for 13.
West Indies was staring down the barrel at 5-63 in the 14th over, when Dottin smacked 33 off 22, including three sixes, to deflate the opposition.
“When Dottin was pumping us, we believed and stuck it out to get over the line,” said Carson, who was named player of the match. “We had to defend a below par total and get those early wickets because West Indies is a dangerous side.”
It was Kerr who provided the turning point – Dottin holed out in the 17th over, as New Zealand squeezed the chase.
After a nervous start to the last over, Bates dismissed Zaida James off the third ball.
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