New Zealand beat Windies to reach Women’s T20 World Cup final

New Zealand saw off the danger of Deandra Dottin to book their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final with a nail-biting eight-run win over West Indies in Sharjah on Friday.

After Dottin’s 4-22 restricted the White Ferns to 128-9, the all-rounder clubbed a superb 33 from 22 balls with three sixes as West Indies finished just short on 120-8.

New Zealand will face South Africa, who knocked out defending champions Australia on Thursday, in Sunday’s final at Dubai which will mean a new name on the trophy.

South Africa are in their second final while New Zealand will be hoping for third time lucky having lost in final of the first two tournaments in 2009 and 2010, the latter to Australia by just three runs.

Only three teams have ever won the Women’s T20 World Cup across its eight previous editions. England won the inaugural event on home soil at Lord’s, and West Indies triumphed at Eden Gardens in 2016.

 New Zealand will face South Africa, who knocked out defending champions Australia on Thursday.

Beaten semi-finalists Australia have won the other six titles, including at each of the three previous tournaments.

“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.”

It marked a disappointing exit for the 2016 champions West Indies, especially after their thrilling demolition of England in the group stage. “It is disappointing for the entire group to go out then now in the way we did, but I’m incredibly proud,” said captain Hayley Matthews. “We saw players who we haven’t seen on the circuit much really come to the forefront in this tournament and we’ve exceeded expectations.”

After winning the toss and batting, New Zealand made a solid start as Suzie Bates (26) and Georgia Plimmer (33) added 48 for the first wicket.

But the innings faltered as Dottin stepped in to remove Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, who made a rapid 18, Maddy Green and Rosemary Mair.

West Indies suffered an unpleasant setback when Chinelle Henry had to be helped off the field after misjudging a catch at long on and taking a sickening blow flush on the forehead.

She was replaced in the batting line-up by concussion substitute Chedean Nation.

Some late slugging from Isabella Gaze with 20 from 14 balls gave the Kiwi bowlers a target to defend.

West Indies struggled at the top of their innings against some accurate bowling and the game looked up when Matthews was dismissed for 15.

Dottin, however, clubbed three sixes as she hammered 33 from 22 balls to bring West Indies back into the game.

“She had a great game with the ball and then with the bat and getting us close,” said Matthews.

When Dottin fell to Kerr, who finished with the excellent figures of 2-14 in her four overs, Afy Fletcher (17 not out) and Zaida James (14) took up the fight.

Needing 15 off the last over from Bates, James hammered the first ball for four but was bowled off the third with 11 still needed and New Zealand were home.

New Zealand off-spinner Eden Carson was named Player of the Match for her return of 3-29 from four overs and gave an emotional post game interview in tears.

“As you can see, I’m really emotional but really proud of the girls. When Deandra (Dottin) was pumping us, the girls just believed and stuck it out and we got over the line. We really had to defend another low total, below-par, had to get early wickets against West Indies, they are a dangerous side.

“We saw how the West Indies bowled, they bowled a bit more back-of-a-length and it worked, we bowled a bit full, it’s alright,” she said.

Brief scores: New Zealand 128-9 in 20 overs (Georgia Plimmer 33, Suzie Bates 26, Isabella Gaze 20 not out; Deandra Dottin 4-22, Afy Fletcher 2-23) v West Indies 120-8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 33, Afy Fletcher 17 not out; Eden Carson 3-29, Amelia Kerr 2-14)