New Zealand’s White Ferns have secured their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final after a thrilling eight-run victory over the West Indies in Sharjah on Friday.
Despite a valiant effort from Deandra Dottin, who limited New Zealand to 128-9 with her impressive 4-22 bowling performance, her powerful 33 from 22 balls, including three sixes, was not enough to carry the West Indies to victory.
New Zealand’s innings got off to a promising start with Suzie Bates (26) and Georgia Plimmer (33) putting on 48 for the first wicket. However, Dottin’s bowling prowess proved too much for the White Ferns, as she dismissed Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday (18), Maddy Green, and Rosemary Mair. Isabella Gaze’s late flourish of 20 from 14 balls gave the New Zealand bowlers a total to defend.
The West Indies faced a difficult start against New Zealand’s precise bowling, and their chances seemed slim when captain Hayley Matthews was out for 15. Dottin’s explosive innings brought the West Indies back into contention, but her dismissal left Afy Fletcher (17 not out) and Zaida James (14) to continue the battle.
New Zealand only secured the win in the final over of the match, with Eden Carson, the New Zealand off-spinner, being awarded Player of the Match for her impressive figures of 3-29 from four overs.
The White Ferns will now face South Africa, who knocked out defending champions Australia on Thursday, in Sunday’s final at Dubai. New Zealand, who were runners-up in the first two tournaments in 2009 and 2010, will be hoping to secure their first T20 World Cup title.
