DUBAI: A disciplined bowling performance, led by Eden Carson powered New Zealand to edge past West Indies by eight runs and qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final.
Set to chase a modest 129, the former champions only managed to amass 120/8 in the allotted 20 overs despite Deandra Dottin’s brisk knock.
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New Zealand captain Sophie Devine’s decision to bat first backfired as the White Ferns had to settle for a modest total.
New Zealand had a steady start to their innings, courtesy of a cautious 48-run opening stand between Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer.
The duo frustrated the former champions until Karishma Ramharack provided them with a much-needed breakthrough in the ninth over by bowling Bates, who made 26 off 28.
Plimmer then put together a brief partnership with Amelia Kerr, which yielded 17 runs before both perished in successive overs to leave New Zealand reeling at 69/3 in 12.1 overs.
Georgia Plimmer remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with a grafting 33 off 31 balls with the help of three fours and a six.
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Skipper Devine was then joined by Brooke Halliday, who gave a minor push to New Zealand’s scoring rate with a brisk cameo. She made 18 off nine deliveries before falling victim to Dottin in the 15th over.
Halliday shared a crucial 27-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Devine, who followed suit in the next over, departing for a run-a-ball 12.
Deandra Dottin then posed a double blow to New Zealand in the next over, dismissing Maddy Green (3) and Rosemary Mair (2) to bring the total down to 104/7 in 16.4 overs.
Wicketkeeper batter Isabelle Gaze then offered some resistance at the backend with a fighting knock. She remained unbeaten with a 14-ball 20.
Dottin was the standout bowler for the West Indies, returning brilliant bowling figures of 4/22, followed by Afy Fletcher with two wickets, while Ramharack and Aaliyah Alleyne shared two wickets between them.
New Zealand will now face South Africa in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final, scheduled at the same venue on Sunday.
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