In a dramatic and emotional turn of events, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was left in tears after her team succumbed to a narrow eight-run loss against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final on Friday, October 18, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The West Indies, a team that once held the T20 World Cup title in 2016, saw their dream of reaching the final shattered despite a disciplined bowling effort.
Emotional Scenes for Hayley Matthews and West Indies
Hayley Matthews, known for her calm leadership and powerful batting, was visibly emotional as the final ball was bowled and New Zealand celebrated their thrilling win. Unable to hold back her tears, the West Indies skipper was consoled by her teammates on the field. The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared heartfelt pictures of the moment, capturing the anguish of the West Indies captain as her side fell agonizingly short of the target. The images quickly went viral on social media, showcasing the intense emotions of the match and the devastating loss for Matthews and her team.
West Indies’ Strong Bowling Effort
After opting to bowl first, West Indies showed why they are a formidable force in women’s cricket. They delivered a strong bowling performance that restricted New Zealand to 128/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Deandra Dottin, the star all-rounder, was in fine form with the ball, picking up four crucial wickets. Dottin’s figures of 4-0-22-4 were a highlight of the West Indies’ disciplined approach, as they consistently applied pressure on the New Zealand batters.
George Plimmer led New Zealand’s top-scoring charge with 33 off 31 balls, including three boundaries and a six. While Suzie Bates (26) and Isabella Gaze (20) chipped in with valuable runs, the White Ferns were never able to break free fully, thanks to West Indies’ tight bowling and excellent fielding.
Top-Order Collapse and Dottin’s Heroics
However, the West Indies faltered in the chase, suffering a top-order collapse that left them in a precarious position. None of the top four batters managed to cross the 20-run mark, with Matthews herself contributing just 15 runs. The mounting pressure and disciplined bowling from New Zealand’s Eden Carson (3/29) and Amelia Kerr (2/14) proved too much for the Caribbean side to handle.
Deandra Dottin, after her remarkable bowling display, briefly reignited West Indies’ hopes with the bat. In the 16th over, she slammed three towering sixes off Lee Tahuhu, sparking excitement among fans and reducing the equation to 34 runs needed from the last 24 deliveries.
Dottin’s power-hitting brought West Indies within touching distance of an improbable victory, but the dream was short-lived. In a decisive moment, Dottin was dismissed in the 17th over, ending the fightback and leaving West Indies with little chance of recovery.
New Zealand Seals the Victory
With Dottin’s dismissal, New Zealand tightened their grip on the match. The final few overs became a formality, as the remaining West Indies batters struggled to find the boundary. The pressure proved too much, and they ultimately finished their innings at 120/8, falling just eight runs short of their target.
As the last ball was bowled and New Zealand players erupted in celebration, the West Indies camp was left heartbroken. For Matthews, the weight of the loss was palpable, and her tears reflected the disappointment of coming so close yet falling short of the World Cup final.
Looking Ahead: A Glimmer of Hope
While the defeat will undoubtedly sting for Hayley Matthews and her team, there are positives to take away from the tournament. The West Indies’ bowling, particularly Deandra Dottin’s outstanding performance, showed that they remain a formidable side. With a mix of experienced players and young talents, the team will look to bounce back and challenge for future titles.
For now, however, the pain of the semi-final loss will linger as New Zealand marches on to the final, while the West Indies are left to reflect on what could have been.
