New Zealand Women have won the toss and have opted to bat
New Zealand, apart from the India game where the openers took the opposition apart, haven't been able to find much rhythm with the bat. They even came under pressure in the must-win game against Pakistan. But their bowling has more than made up for it so far with the variety they have. There is swing and seam upfront in the form of Rosemary Mair, loads of experience with Lea Tahuhu, and penetrative spin with Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr. Kerr is even the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 10 wickets in four matches. How effective she will be against the WI batters will be a crucial part of the game.
The slow pitches in the UAE, much different to what these teams generally encounter, have tested the batters in terms of their power-hitting game. And WI have come up with the goods in that department with the likes of Qiana Joseph, Diandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews being able to muscle the ball when the going gets tough. Even the likes of Shemaine Campbell and Chinelle Henry, who haven't spent too much time in the middle, can give it a tonk to generate pace on the ball. The absence of Stafanie Taylor meant that they had to reinforce their batting against England
4.50pm local: India - gone. England - gone. And the big one, Australia - gone. In the history of this tournament, not a single time had one of the big three failed to make the final, but the likes of West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa have turned the tables to show just how far women's cricket has evolved in the last few years. South Africa are already through, and now it's the turn for West Indies and New Zealand to face off for the right to be in Sunday's mega showdown. Hello and welcome to the second semifinal where things will come to a boil in the heat of Sharjah.
Preview :
Both sides entered the competition with few backing them to advance beyond the first round. Against the odds, they've quieted early skepticism by toppling the heavyweights in their groups, and now face a crucial showdown to earn a spot in the final. For New Zealand, this is their first semifinal since making the last four in 2016 while West Indies are in a semifinal for the first time since 2018.
New Zealand have never entered a final since finishing runners-up in the first two editions in 2009 and 2010. West Indies have never made the final barring the title victory in 2016. There is some history between these two teams as well, with West Indies' 2016 championship run including a semifinal victory against New Zealand. The White Ferns will be keen to reverse the result of that encounter and set things up for a memorable farewell for their senior players. Meanwhile, West Indies have a few seniors too who the team will hope to bid farewell to on a winning note, starting with this semifinal clash.
New Zealand brought out their 'A' game in their tournament opener against India, replete with tactics, match-ups, and fool-proof plans made more than a year ago. In a group of death, beating one of the top teams - India or Australia - was of utmost importance and New Zealand started on the right note. Despite a reversal against Australia, they regrouped quickly to defeat Sri Lanka and won a must-win game against Pakistan to enter the last-four stage.
West Indies, on the other hand, did not start the tournament well, losing by 10 wickets to South Africa in their first match. Pretty much written off at that stage, West Indies bounced back with a hat-trick of victories. First Scotland and then Bangladesh, the Caribbean team breezed past them before their vital clash against England, who they hadn't defeated in T20Is for 13 straight games since 2019. But West Indies came with the belief, "a lot of hearts and a lot of fights" to set foot in the next round.
New Zealand have been well-served by collective contributions. Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates at the top have been providing good starts while the likes of Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday have provided the finishing touches in their batting. New Zealand have been on the mark with the ball, again with good contributions from all their bowlers. They will be determined to maintain this momentum and propel themselves further in the tournament.
For West Indies, they've had different people putting their hands up for the team's cause. Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle and Deandra Dottin have contributed well while skipper Hayley Matthews, after failing in the first two matches, has regained form and come up with an important half-century against England. But it was Qiana Joseph's exhilarating fifty against England that came as a bolt out of the blue as the 23-year old proved she could handle the pressure at the top despite limited experience and being moved around the batting order. Afy Fletcher has led West Indies' bowling effort, with the others supporting her well. Like New Zealand, West Indies also have a well-balanced side which will be looking to go the distance.
When: Second Semifinal - Friday, October 18 at 6:00 PM Local Time
Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
What to expect: Australia are the only team to post more than 145 twice at this venue while India got to 142 in a losing cause against the former. Barring these, teams have struggled to go past 125, with the slow and low conditions aiding the bowlers. What should encourage the teams, though, is that the 150-plus posted by Australia came in the previous game here, and they will be hoping the pitch has something for the batters.
Team news:
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor, struggling with a knee problem, missed the previous game and the status of her fitness is still unclear. West Indies could stick to the same team that got them into the semifinal.
New Zealand: It might be a toss up between offspinner Leigh Kasperek and left-arm spinner Fran Jonas. The latter might get the nod considering limited left-handed batting options for West Indies.
Probable XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas
Did you know?
- New Zealand have a 17-5 win-loss record against West Indies in 22 completed T20Is, and they are on a 4-match winning streak as well. But the ratio is an even 2-2 in T20 World Cups
- Deandra Dottin has an average record in the knockouts of T20 World Cup, with 91 runs in 6 innings and a highest of 40
- Sophie Devine has scored 122 runs in six innings in T20 World Cup knockouts, with a highest of 38*, and has picked 8 wickets
What they said:
"Steph [Stafanie Taylor] and Deandra [Dottin] are two giants of the game and it is cool to be able to see them have success, and you know, to empathise with them and to know what it means to them as well. It's sort of been a bit similar for me and some of the old girls in the Kiwi team" - Sophie Devine, New Zealand captain
Squads:
New Zealand Women Squad: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Leigh Kasperek
New Zealand Women
West Indies Women
