England were dumped out of the Women’s T20 World Cup following a tough six-wicket loss to a sensational West Indies in Dubai.
West Indies were set 142 to win and progress to the semi-finals. Captain Hayley Matthews (50 off 38) in her 100th T20I and Qiana Joseph (52 off 38) played with electric intent, taking their side to 89-0 after 10 overs with 12 fours and three sixes between them, their contributions ending with their side on 104-2.
With 40 runs still required, Deandra Dottin (27 from 19), Shemaine Campbelle (5), and Aaliyah Alleyne (6 from 4) did what they needed to do and stayed calm under the pressure, Alleyne hitting the winning runs to leave West Indies jubilant and England reeling from the shock defeat.
After finishing first in Group B, West Indies will now face New Zealand in the semi-finals, while South Africa will take on Australia.
It is a win for West Indies that sends a message to New Zealand that they are here not to make up the numbers but win the whole thing, starting with an inspired win over the No 2 side in the world, England.
Matthews and Joseph shine to book semi-final spot
Knowing what they needed to achieve to progress to the semi-finals, West Indies got off to a sensational start in their run chase, Matthews and Joseph adding 36 runs from just three overs with two fours and a six apiece.
It was Nat Sciver-Brunt who had the task of captaining England after Heather Knight pulled up injured while batting – and what a task she had.
Things just were not clicking for England in the field as dropped catches hampered their performance, sub-fielder Sophia Dunkley dropping Joseph in the second over before Alice Capsey dropped Matthews on 18 in the fifth over, West Indies motoring to 67-0 at the end of the powerplay and England in shock at what was unfolding.
The dropped catches continued to come, Bouchier coming up with a couple in the ninth and 10 overs and it wasn’t long until Joseph brought up her maiden T20I half-century in just 34 deliveries with six fours and two sixes, the quickest ever scored against England.
Finally, England had their breakthrough following another Bouchier drop, Danni Wyatt-Hodge taking the catch just a ball later to send the West Indies opener walking, putting them on 101-7 in the 13th over.
That same over then saw the West Indies captain bring up her first T20I 50 against England, and her 14th in total, in the space of 37 balls, with seven fours and a six helping her to a brilliant score before falling an over later to put her side on 104-2 with 38 runs needed from 41 balls.
Needing a run a ball with five overs remaining, Dottin and Campbelle started to hit big, the former hitting two massive sixes and a four in one over to reduce the target to 14 runs from 24 balls.
With Campbelle dismissed via a run out by Capsey, and Dottin bowled by a peach from Sophie Eccleston (1-23), Alleyne came out to the middle and started with a boundary to leave her side needing two runs from 15 balls, another boundary on the final ball of the 18th over cementing the massive victory and top spot in Group B, meaning they now face New Zealand in the semi-finals.
England were clearly emotional as the defeat was confirmed, unsure what had just happened as they were sent home early from a tournament they felt they had every chance of winning.
England’s early batting collapse costs them
England will now rue a tough start to their innings after being put into bat by West Indies, Dottin starring in the field as Wyatt-Hodge (16) was the first to fall, quickly followed by a run out of Capsey (1), and Bouchier (14) completing the haul as England floundered on 34-3 after seven overs.
With their side in trouble, Sciver-Brunt and Knight (21 off 13) steadied the ship with their experience and rebuilt to 61-3 at the halfway mark but after struggling with an injury to her calf, skipper Knight was forced to retire hurt in the 13th over, bringing an early end to a dangerous partnership.
Despite being without their captain, Sciver-Brunt continued to motor on, keeping herself in alongside Amy Jones (7) Charlie Dean (5), Danielle Gibson (7), Sophie Ecclestone (7), and Sarah Glenn (1), her 14th T20I half-century coming in the 18th over from 45 deliveries with four boundaries.
However, as the only big-scorer for her side, Sciver-Brunt’s 57 runs from 50 balls fell short and set West Indies what was a reachable 141-7.
Watch every match of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sportsconcluding with the final in Dubai on Sunday October 20. You can also stream the tournament and more with NOW
