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BRISTOL, England – West Indies Women have qualified for their second successive semifinal at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The regional team booked their spot after England Women thrashed New Zealand by nine wickets to dump the defending champions out of the competition at the group stage.
Following their six-wicket defeat to Ireland Women earlier in the day’s programme, a victory for New Zealand Women would have seen the West Indies eliminated from the competition.
The West Indies will now await the remaining matches in Group A to determine who their opponents will be in the last four.
Meanwhile, the the hopes of qualifying for the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup took a big hit when the West Indies were upset by Ireland Women in their final preliminary match.
Having gone winless in 21 games at T20 World Cups, Ireland Women finally broke the jinx, with Orla Prendergast’s half century leading them to a comprehensive six-wicket victory at County Ground to put a major dent in the regional side’s qualification hopes.
After being sent in to bat, the West Indies’ batters never got out of first gear and could only muster 128 for seven in their 20 overs.
Ireland Women, who defeated the West Indies in the preceding Evara Tri-Series, showed that victory was no fluke by romping to 129 for four in 18.1 overs, to end the drought by winning their first match in their fifth T20 World Cup.
The loss means West Indies Women will have to hope that England Women defeat New Zealand Women later on Saturday if they are to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Once again, it was the Windies’ batting that let them down.
Qiana Joseph hit left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire for two boundaries in the first over of the match, but lost her wicket off the last ball as her attempted sweep shot ballooned into the air to give Leah Paul at short third man an easy catch.
Shemaine Campbelle made just four before she was dismissed by Arlene Kelly to leave the Windies 27 for two in the third over.
Skipper Hayley Matthews never got going during her knock of 22 off 25 balls, and it came as no surprise when she swept Cara Murray straight into the hands of the square leg fielder to make the score 50 for three at the start of the ninth over.
Stafanie Taylor also struggled in her time at the crease, scoring 16 off 26 balls before hitting a full toss from Aimee Maguire into the hands of long on.
When Deandra Dottin’s miserable knock of 21 from 28 balls came to an end, the Windies were in serious trouble at 95 for five in the 16th over.
Chinelle Henry tried her best to lift the total at the death in an unbeaten knock of 27 off 21 balls, but none of the other batters provided any support.
Murray led the way for Ireland with 2-13, while Aimee Maguire took 2-22.
Needing to take early wickets to have any chance of defending their below par total, West Indies Women did themselves no favours by dropping opener Amy Hunter when she was three and just eight runs on the board.
Ashmini Munisar gave the Windies hope by grabbing the wicket of her partner and captain Gaby Lewis for nine to leave Ireland 28 for one.
But Player-of-the-Match Prendergast and Hunter effectively sealed the contest with a 66-run partnership for the second wicket which proved decisive.
Prendergast started slowly, scoring 11 runs from her first 15 deliveries, but broke free in the ninth over by smashing Qiana Joseph for six and four off consecutive balls.
She moved into the 40s by flicking Afy Fletcher through square leg for four, but lost Hunter two balls later for 28 off 32 balls as she got a leading edge trying to hit the same bowler through the leg side.
Prendergast reached her half century off 36 balls in fitting style by hitting Ashmini Munisar through the leg side for four and followed it up by driving her through cover for another boundary.
By the time Matthews had Prendergast caught at deep square leg by Dottin after scoring 63 off 44 balls, inclusive of eight fours and two sixes, Ireland Women were well in the driver’s seat at 108 for three and required 21 runs from 28 balls.
Munisar did manage to dismiss Paul for just four, but Rebecca Stokell scored an unbeaten 16 off 15 balls to lead her side to a historic victory with 11 balls to spare.
Munisar was the Windies’ best bowler with 2-28 from her four overs.
Summarised Scores
WEST INDIES WOMEN 128-7 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 27 not out, Hayley Matthews 22, Deandra Dottin 21, Stafanie Taylor 16; Cara Murray 2-13, Aimee Maguire 2-22) vs IRELAND WOMEN 129-4 in 18.1 overs (Orla Prendergast 63, Amy Hunter 28, Rebecca Stokell 16 not out; Ashmini Munisar 2-28).
Toss: Ireland Women elected to field.
Player-of-the-Match: Orla Prendergast.
Result: Ireland Women defeated West Indies Women by six wickets.
Umpires: Claire Polosak, Shathira Jakir.
TV Umpire: Vrinda Rathi.
Reserve Umpire: Kerrinn Klaaste.
Match Referee: Michell Pereira.
(CMC)
English (US) ·