South Africa and the West Indies secured their spots in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after the West Indies’ emphatic six-wicket victory over England on Tuesday.
The West Indies chased down England’s target of 141-7 with ease, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Qiana Joseph and captain Hayley Matthews. Joseph smashed her maiden T20I half-century, scoring 52 off 38 balls, while Matthews contributed a 38-ball 50, leading their team to victory with 12 balls to spare.
South Africa, finishing second in Group B, will now face defending champions Australia in the semi-finals on Thursday. Meanwhile, the West Indies will go head-to-head with New Zealand on Friday.
Matthews Leads from the Front
“Incredibly proud of the group. Up against the odds tonight but to put up a performance like that with the bat, with Joseph scoring her first T20I fifty – what a time to do that,” said a delighted Matthews after the match. “We have been chasing [before in this tournament] and we back ourselves to knock off whatever runs are put on the board.”
Matthews got the West Indies’ chase off to a flying start, hitting a six and two fours in the opening over bowled by Lauren Bell. Joseph quickly joined in, dispatching England’s top spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, for consecutive boundaries, pushing the score to 55-0 in just five overs.
In the sixth over, Matthews targeted England’s Charlie Dean, smashing three boundaries over square leg to push the West Indies closer to their target. England’s fielding woes also played a role, with five routine catches dropped, giving the West Indies added momentum.
Joseph’s and Matthews’ Match-Winning Knocks
Joseph, who was named Player of the Match, was eventually dismissed in the 13th over after hitting two sixes and six fours. Her dismissal did little to halt the West Indies’ charge, with Matthews falling soon after, but Deandra Dottin’s quickfire 27 ensured the victory.
This win marked the West Indies’ first win over England in 14 matches and their first away win against them in 10 years.
England Left to Reflect
England captain Heather Knight acknowledged her team’s shortcomings in the loss. “Credit to them, they came at us hard, played the conditions well, and put us under the pump. Tough to take but credit to Hayley and her team. We bowled too short and they played it well.”
England’s batting effort saw early struggles, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge (16) falling early, caught brilliantly by Dottin off Matthews’ bowling. Alice Capsey (1) was run out by a sharp throw from Dottin, while Maia Bouchier (14) was caught off Afy Fletcher, reducing England to 34-3 by the seventh over.
Nat Sciver-Brunt was the standout with the bat for England, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 50 balls, but lacked support from her teammates as the side struggled to build a challenging total.
With the semi-finals now set, South Africa and the West Indies will look to carry their momentum into their respective matches against Australia and New Zealand.
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