Preview: New Zealand vs West Indies – Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal | Cricket


Who: New Zealand vs West Indies
What: Second semifinal, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
When: Friday, October 18, 6pm (14:00 GMT)
The place: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
observe: Al Jazeera’s dwell textual content protection begins at 10:30 GMT

West Indies and New Zealand meet in a semifinal befitting of a event that has defied the percentages.

Australia, the file six-time winners and present holders, have been eliminated on Thursday by a South Africa aspect given little hope of exacting revenge on the staff that defeated them on dwelling soil within the closing of the final version. The Australians had been on a 14-game profitable streak at T20 World Cups. The three groups most fancied to cease Australia’s defence, England, India and Asia Cup winners Sri Lanka didn’t even make it out of the group stage.

New Zealand had misplaced 10 T20 internationals in a row earlier than their shock 58-run victory against India of their opening sport. A consequence the Indians, arguably, by no means recovered from. West Indies, meantime, have one of many stars of the event of their captain Hayley Matthews, however they, like their Kiwi opponents, have been considered lengthy photographs to make it out of their group.

“Nobody had us to get to this stage,” Matthews mentioned forward of the semifinal. “So, we’re all fairly blissful that we’ve made it right here, however … the job’s simply not completed. We’re … hopefully able to play a very massive sport as a result of we don’t wish to simply come to this World Cup to say, ‘Hey we’ve made the semifinals and we’re proud of that’.”

West Indies’ solely earlier look within the closing got here in 2016 however that did end in a win. That too went towards the grain, as they beat an Australian aspect looking for a fourth consecutive title.

“We’re all the time at our greatest once we’re having fun with ourselves and being actually vibrant within the discipline,” Matthews added. “I’m simply encouraging each one of many kids to exit and revel in themselves. Yeah. it’s a World Cup semifinal, and it’s an enormous sport, however we’re nonetheless taking part in the identical sport that we discovered within the again yards of our properties and likewise on the streets within the Caribbean – so, simply take pleasure in it.”

Since New Zealand’s wretched run got here to an finish with their opening win towards India, solely Australia have taken the wind out of the Kiwis’ sails. It was, nonetheless, a chastening expertise for New Zealand, who have been bowled out for 86 in an 80-run defeat. Certainly, Sophie Devine’s aspect have been the favourites to complete backside of a bunch of demise, which additionally included Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

“We don’t wish to get too excessive or too low, and that’s actually key for us to be sure that we play with that degree of feelings,” mentioned Devine, who may grow to be the primary Kiwi captain to elevate a Girls’s World Cup. “It’s one other sport and we’re making an attempt to maintain issues actually comparable when it comes to the build-up and the preparation we’re doing.”

New Zealand vs West Indies: Head-to-head file

New Zealand take pleasure in a 17-5 benefit over the West Indies of their 23 T20 encounters, together with two Tremendous Over wins.

One match resulted in a “no consequence” as a result of a washout.

New Zealand’s finest consequence at T20 World Cup

Runners-up: 2009, 2010

West Indies’s finest consequence at T20 World Cup

Champions: 2016

Type information: New Zealand

The White Ferns opened their World Cup marketing campaign with a win over pre-tournament favourites India, and closed their group part by knocking them out with a win over Pakistan. Their solely loss within the event got here towards Australia.

Final 5 matches: W W L W L

Type information: West Indies

The West Indies will look to proceed their three-match profitable streak within the event and go all the best way to the ultimate.

Final 5 matches: W W W L L

Toss and pitch situation

Within the eight group-stage matches performed in Sharjah, groups profitable the toss have batted first on eight events. 5 of these eight video games have resulted in a win for the staff batting first.

One match noticed the toss-winning captain selecting to bowl first and win the match.

Climate forecast

Sharjah shall be sizzling, humid and considerably unforgiving within the early a part of the match. The temperature is predicted to hover round 36 levels Celsius (96.8F) with 50 % humidity, making the actual temperature really feel a bit greater.

Crew information: New Zealand

New Zealand have been spared from main accidents to their typical taking part in XI and are anticipated to discipline the identical aspect that beat Pakistan of their final sport.

Squad: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wicketkeeper), Maddy Inexperienced, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Crew information: West Indies

The West Indies will hope their star batter Stefanie Taylor, who missed the sport towards England, is match for the massive match and take her place within the XI.

Squad: Hayley Matthews (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wicketkeeper), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton.

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