Big first for WI Women

MUMBAI, India (CMC):

West Indies Women stormed into their first ever final of a Twenty20 World Cup when they outplayed New Zealand Women by six runs in the second semi-final of the 2016 edition at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.

Having previously gone out at the semi-final stage of the last three T20 World Cups, the Caribbean girls made no mistake this time around, rattling up a challenging 143 for six off their 20 overs and then bowling well to restrict the Kiwis to 137 for eight.

Sent in, West Indies Women were propelled by a top score of 61 from Britney Cooper, who fashioned her maiden half-century in T20s.

She faced 48 balls and counted five fours and two sixes and put on 60 for the second wicket with captain Stafanie Taylor, who scored 25. Cooper added another 44 for the third wicket, with Deandra Dottin, who got 20.

Seamer Sophie Devine was the best bowler, producing a career-best performance of four for 22 from her four overs.

In reply, New Zealand Women were undermined by Taylor, who claimed three for 26 with her incisive off-spin, while leg-spinner Afy Fletcher proved economical, conceding just 20 runs from her four overs and taking one wicket.

ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE

Sara McGlashan top-scored with 38 from 30 deliveries, Amy Satterthwaite struck 24 from 29 balls, while Devine chipped in with a cameo 22 from 14 balls, to complete a solid all-round performance.

New Zealand Women were threatening victory at 108 for three in the 17th over with McGlashan and Satterthwaite involved in a 59-run fourth run stand.

However, Taylor removed both in successive deliveries to deal the Kiwis a fatal blow and hurt their momentum as five wickets tumbled for 29 runs.

The victory set up a meeting with nemesis Australia in Sunday's final, following the reigning champions' five-run win over England Women in Wednesday's first semi-final.