West Indies’ Shimaine Campbell, left, and Jazhara Claxton celebrate after their victory. (AP photo)
The West Indies pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, avenging their 2024 semi-final heartbreak with a thrilling seven-wicket win over defending champions New Zealand in Southampton.Veteran Shemaine Campbell’s brilliant unbeaten 90 and a brilliant four wicket haul from Aaliyah Allen guided the 2016 champions to a memorable win with just one ball in the opening match of the tournament.Chasing 163 without injured stars Chenille Henry and Stafanie Taylor, West Indies rode Campbell’s best knock of his career to overhaul the target at 163/3 and stun the holders.
Aaliyah Four derails New Zealand
Asked to bat first, New Zealand made a promising start before Allen turned the match on its head.The medium-pacer removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break a 49-run opening stand and then hit two runs for one, dismissing Amelia Kerr for five and wicketkeeper-batsman Isabella Gaze, who made a fluent 39 off 29 balls with eight boundaries.Reduced to 56/3 in 7.4 overs, New Zealand rebuilt through Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday. Devine hit 22 off 15 balls before Halliday anchored the innings with 40 off 32 deliveries.Maddy Green’s unbeaten 35 off 22 balls helped the defending champions to a competitive score of 162/6, but Alleyne’s impressive figures of 4/27 proved decisive.
A wonderful return to Campbell’s scripts
West Indies suffered an early setback when Keanna Joseph was run out for two, but skipper Hayley Matthews counter-attacked brilliantly.The captain survived several reprieves and smashed 48 off 37 balls, sharing a 74-run stand with Campbell to regain control. Following Matthews’ departure, Campbell continued to excel, adding 40 runs with Deandra Dottin and an unbeaten 37-run partnership with Jahzara Claxton.The Guyana batsman reached her maiden T20I half-century in her 123rd innings and never looked back, finishing with seven fours and three sixes in her 62-ball 90 not out.“I just backed up my skills,” Campbell said after the game. “I know I’m the type of player who can turn things around.”New Zealand endured a memorable outing in the field, dropping six catches and struggling behind the stumps. Jess Kerr was the only bright spot with figures of 2/17.
