In a stunning upset, West Indies Women secured a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a convincing 6-wicket victory over England Women. Powered by a record-breaking partnership between Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph, West Indies chased down England’s total of 142 with 12 balls to spare. This win marks the first time since 2018 that the West Indies Women have reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
Match Summary:
- England Women: 141/7 (20 overs)
- West Indies Women: 142/4 (18 overs)
- West Indies Women won by 6 wickets
West Indies’ Strong Chase:
After restricting England to 141/7 in their 20 overs, the West Indies top-order, led by a 102-run partnership between captain Hayley Matthews and opener Qiana Joseph, put the Caribbean side on course for victory. Joseph, who scored her maiden T20I fifty, played a crucial role in the chase with an aggressive 54 off 38 balls. Matthews, her partner, continued her fine form, contributing a quickfire 50 to take the game away from England. Despite a couple of late wickets, Deandra Dottin sealed the win with two huge sixes, ensuring West Indies crossed the finish line with ease.
England’s Struggles:
England, despite being one of the form teams in the tournament, struggled to build momentum in this crucial fixture. Their top order, led by Danielle Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt, couldn’t post a competitive score on a slow surface. Despite a few cameos, England’s 141/7 wasn’t enough against a determined West Indies side. England’s sloppy fielding, including a dropped catch by Sophia Dunkley when Joseph was on just 6, proved costly and allowed West Indies to capitalize.
Key Performances:
Qiana Joseph (Player of the Match):
- Runs: 54 (38 balls)
A career-best knock that was crucial in West Indies’ successful chase, including powerful strokes to punish England’s bowlers.
Hayley Matthews (West Indies Captain):
- Runs: 50 (36 balls)
The West Indies captain was at her brilliant best, notching up yet another half-century to steer her team into the semis.
England’s Bowling:
Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn were the pick of the bowlers, taking key wickets but failing to stop the West Indies from chasing down the target.
Post-Match Reactions:
Hayley Matthews (West Indies Women captain):
“Pretty good. I don’t think many people had us reaching that point [semis] in this tournament. Up against the odds tonight but to put up a performance like that with the bat, incredibly proud.”
Heather Knight (England Women captain):
“Frustrated. Bad timing for me and tough to watch. Credit to West Indies, they put us under the pump. We made a few mistakes and it’s a tough one to take.”
Qiana Joseph (Player of the Match):
“She (Matthews) told me just back myself and watch the ball all the way through. I was real aggressive at the start. It was a bit challenging of course, just backed myself to hit through the line of the ball.”
Stats by Shashikant Singh:
- 142 runs is the highest successful run-chase in this tournament and also the highest by West Indies Women against England Women in all T20Is.
- This is the first win for West Indies Women against England in 13 matches.
- West Indies Women reached the T20 World Cup semi-final for the first time since 2018.
Looking Ahead:
With this remarkable win, West Indies Women march into the semi-finals and will now face New Zealand in a high-stakes clash. England, who had a solid tournament up until this point, bow out after just one bad game—highlighting the fine margins in T20 cricket. With just three games remaining, the excitement is set to continue as the tournament nears its climax.
Stay tuned for all the live action and expert analysis on Vegas11, where Arjun will provide in-depth coverage and predictions for the upcoming semi-finals!