Women's T20 World Cup: New Zealand clinch thriller against West Indies in semis; to take on SA in final

There will be a new world champion after New Zealand beat West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal on Friday (Oct 18) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE. The White Ferns beat the Caribbean by eight runs in a thrilling contest to book their first final berth in 14 years and will play against South Africa for the T20 World Cup title on Sunday. Eden Carson was the architect of the match after she scalped three wickets for New Zealand and helped her side to win.

New Zealand book semis berth

In a low-scoring thriller on Friday, New Zealand restricted West Indies to just 120 having been tasked to chase 129 to win the semifinal contest. Star batter Deandra Dottin showed her class with the bat as she scored 33 but could not help her side to win having lacked support at one end. Losing wickets at consistent intervals proved costly for the Caribbean side as they failed to book their place in the final of the tournament.

While Carson was the pick of the bowlers, Amelia Kerr also scalped two wickets to help her side win the match. There were wickets for Fran Jonas, Lea Tahuhu and Suzie Bates which propelled them to win.

New Zealand fail to capitalise

Earlier, New Zealand failed to capitalise on a good start as they lost wickets at consistent intervals. After being 48/0 after eight overs, they scored only 80 runs in the next 12 overs scoring 128/9. Georgia Plimmer was the top-scorer with 33 off 31 while Suzie Bates scored 26 for the Ferns. Deandra Dottin was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies as she ended with figures of 22/4 in four overs.

New Zealand will now take on South Africa in the final on Sunday, which will see a new champion crowned. New Zealand have been runners-up twice in the tournament but have failed to win while this will be the Proteas second shot at the title in as many attempts.