A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and a four-wicket haul by Aaliyah Alleyne powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing 163, the West Indies were guided home by Campbelle’s calm and match-winning innings, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. Earlier, Alleyne’s impressive 4/27 helped restrict New Zealand to 162/6 in their 20 overs.&nbsp;After electing to field, West Indies struck early through Alleyne, who removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break an opening stand of 49 runs. She then dealt further blows by dismissing Amelia Kerr (5) and Isabella Gaze, who made 39 from 29 balls with eight fours, reducing New Zealand to 56/3 in the eighth over.&nbsp;A 45-run partnership between captain Sophie Devine (22 off 15) and Brooke Halliday helped rebuild the innings and take the score beyond 100. Halliday contributed 40 from 32 balls, while Maddy Green remained unbeaten on 35 off 22 deliveries, helping the defending champions post a competitive total.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pv-sindhu-lakshya-sen-and-satwik-chirag-headline-india-s-asian-games-2026-squad-1781364621276">PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and Satwik-Chirag headline India's Asian Games 2026 squad</a>&nbsp;West Indies’ chase began with an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out for just two, however, skipper Hayley Matthews counterattacked quickly and added a 74-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Matthews struck 48 off 37 balls, including six fours and a six, before departing just short of a half-century.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-brazil-fans-take-over-new-york-s-times-square-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-clash-against-morocco-1781363516539">WATCH | Brazil fans take over Times Square ahead of World Cup clash with Morocco</a>&nbsp;Campbelle then took control of the chase, accelerating in the closing overs with a series of powerful strokes. The Guyanese batter reached her maiden T20I fifty in style and held her composure in a tense finish, steering West Indies to victory with one ball remaining.&nbsp;For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the standout bowler, claiming 2/17 from her four overs.&nbsp;The result also served as sweet revenge for West Indies, who overturned the disappointment of their semi-final loss to New Zealand at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Shemaine Campbelle played a superb unbeaten knock of 90 off 62 balls to guide the West Indies to a successful chase of 163 in 19.5 overs.

A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and a four-wicket haul by Aaliyah Alleyne powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing 163, the West Indies were guided home by Campbelle’s calm and match-winning innings, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. Earlier, Alleyne’s impressive 4/27 helped restrict New Zealand to 162/6 in their 20 overs. After electing to field, West Indies struck early through Alleyne, who removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break an opening stand of 49 runs. She then dealt further blows by dismissing Amelia Kerr (5) and Isabella Gaze, who made 39 from 29 balls with eight fours, reducing New Zealand to 56/3 in the eighth over. A 45-run partnership between captain Sophie Devine (22 off 15) and Brooke Halliday helped rebuild the innings and take the score beyond 100. Halliday contributed 40 from 32 balls, while Maddy Green remained unbeaten on 35 off 22 deliveries, helping the defending champions post a competitive total. Also Read - PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and Satwik-Chirag headline India's Asian Games 2026 squad West Indies’ chase began with an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out for just two, however, skipper Hayley Matthews counterattacked quickly and added a 74-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Matthews struck 48 off 37 balls, including six fours and a six, before departing just short of a half-century. Also Read - WATCH | Brazil fans take over Times Square ahead of World Cup clash with Morocco Campbelle then took control of the chase, accelerating in the closing overs with a series of powerful strokes. The Guyanese batter reached her maiden T20I fifty in style and held her composure in a tense finish, steering West Indies to victory with one ball remaining. For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the standout bowler, claiming 2/17 from her four overs. The result also served as sweet revenge for West Indies, who overturned the disappointment of their semi-final loss to New Zealand at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Shemaine Campbelle played a superb unbeaten knock of 90 off 62 balls to guide the West Indies to a successful chase of 163 in 19.5 overs.

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: West Indies begin campaign with seven-wicket victory over New Zealand

Australia started their Women's T20 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 65-run victory over South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday. A blistering half-century from Phoebe Litchfield and valuable contributions from Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham powered the defending champions to an imposing total of 172/8 after being put in to bat. Litchfield stole the spotlight with a sensational 50 off just 24 deliveries, providing Australia with the momentum they needed. Perry added 36 runs, while Wareham chipped in with a quickfire 32 to ensure Australia posted one of the tournament's highest totals so far.&nbsp;South Africa, runners-up in the previous edition, faced a daunting task in pursuit of 173 and suffered an immediate setback. Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen were both dismissed inside the opening two overs, leaving their side struggling at 7/2. Nadine de Klerk attempted to revive the innings with a determined 25, while captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the chase with a composed 44. Their partnership helped South Africa recover to 72-3 after 10 overs and briefly raised hopes of a remarkable chase.&nbsp;However, Australia's bowlers quickly regained control. The turning point arrived when Wolvaardt was caught at cover off Wareham, ending South Africa's best chance of mounting a comeback. Wareham then completed an outstanding all-round performance by claiming 3-13 as South Africa collapsed and were bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs. The dominant victory provides Australia with the perfect start in a challenging group that also includes fellow title contenders India.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/formula-1-barcelona-catalunya-grand-prix-george-russell-beats-lewis-hamilton-for-pole-in-thrilling-qualifying-as-leclerc-crashes-1781369887448">Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton for pole in thrilling qualifying as Leclerc crashes</a><h2>West Indies Women beat New Zealand Women in a thrilling win</h2>Elsewhere, West Indies secured a thrilling seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Southampton. Aaliyah Alleyne starred with the ball, taking four wickets as New Zealand were restricted to 162-6 despite useful contributions from Brooke Halliday (40) and Izzy Gaze (39). In response, wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle produced a match-winning innings of 90 not out from 62 balls. Her superb knock included seven boundaries and three sixes, guiding West Indies to 163-3 with just one ball remaining. Captain Hayley Matthews provided excellent support with a well-made 48 from 37 deliveries.<h2>Scotland scripts history with first ever Women's T20 WC win</h2>Scotland also enjoyed a winning start after defeating Ireland by 40 runs at Old Trafford. The Bryce sisters were the stars of the show as Kathryn Bryce scored 60 from 39 balls and Sarah Bryce added 49. Their 106-run partnership for the third wicket laid the foundation for Scotland's competitive total of 161/5.&nbsp;Kathryn then completed an impressive all-round display by taking 2-19, including the crucial wicket of Aimee Maguire, as Ireland were dismissed for 121. The opening round of matches delivered plenty of excitement and set the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive Women's T20 World Cup.

Phoebe Litchfield's explosive fifty and Georgia Wareham's brilliant bowling guided Australia to a 65-run win over South Africa in the Women's T20 World Cup

Australia started their Women's T20 World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 65-run victory over South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday. A blistering half-century from Phoebe Litchfield and valuable contributions from Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham powered the defending champions to an imposing total of 172/8 after being put in to bat. Litchfield stole the spotlight with a sensational 50 off just 24 deliveries, providing Australia with the momentum they needed. Perry added 36 runs, while Wareham chipped in with a quickfire 32 to ensure Australia posted one of the tournament's highest totals so far. South Africa, runners-up in the previous edition, faced a daunting task in pursuit of 173 and suffered an immediate setback. Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen were both dismissed inside the opening two overs, leaving their side struggling at 7/2. Nadine de Klerk attempted to revive the innings with a determined 25, while captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the chase with a composed 44. Their partnership helped South Africa recover to 72-3 after 10 overs and briefly raised hopes of a remarkable chase. However, Australia's bowlers quickly regained control. The turning point arrived when Wolvaardt was caught at cover off Wareham, ending South Africa's best chance of mounting a comeback. Wareham then completed an outstanding all-round performance by claiming 3-13 as South Africa collapsed and were bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs. The dominant victory provides Australia with the perfect start in a challenging group that also includes fellow title contenders India. Also Read: Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton for pole in thrilling qualifying as Leclerc crashes West Indies Women beat New Zealand Women in a thrilling win Elsewhere, West Indies secured a thrilling seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Southampton. Aaliyah Alleyne starred with the ball, taking four wickets as New Zealand were restricted to 162-6 despite useful contributions from Brooke Halliday (40) and Izzy Gaze (39). In response, wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle produced a match-winning innings of 90 not out from 62 balls. Her superb knock included seven boundaries and three sixes, guiding West Indies to 163-3 with just one ball remaining. Captain Hayley Matthews provided excellent support with a well-made 48 from 37 deliveries. Scotland scripts history with first ever Women's T20 WC win Scotland also enjoyed a winning start after defeating Ireland by 40 runs at Old Trafford. The Bryce sisters were the stars of the show as Kathryn Bryce scored 60 from 39 balls and Sarah Bryce added 49. Their 106-run partnership for the third wicket laid the foundation for Scotland's competitive total of 161/5. Kathryn then completed an impressive all-round display by taking 2-19, including the crucial wicket of Aimee Maguire, as Ireland were dismissed for 121. The opening round of matches delivered plenty of excitement and set the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive Women's T20 World Cup.

Australia thrashed South Africa by 65 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup as Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Wareham starred

Phoebe Litchfield stars as Australia hammer South Africa in Women's T20 World Cup opener

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Women's T20 World Cup 2026: West Indies begin campaign with seven-wicket victory over New Zealand

Phoebe Litchfield stars as Australia beat South Africa in Women's T20 WC opener