Women’s World T20: West Indies beat England in last-over thriller

Deandra Dottin’s all-round exploits boosted West Indies in their last league game of the ICC Women’s World T20 as they defeated England by four wickets in the last over to set-up a semi-final clash against three-time champions Australia. With this loss, England will take on Harmanpreet Kaur’s India side in the other semi-final. Dottin’s 2/21 and her aggressive 46 was the key as West Indies cruised into the last four without losing a game and the defending champions will be keen to repeat their heroics of the 2016 edition in India where they won the World T20 title for the first time.

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West Indies chose to bowl and Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell wreaked havoc to reduce England to 50/6. The top order, barring Tammy Beaumont (23) could not negotiate the sluggish nature of the St.Lucia wicket. With England staring at a low score, the lower order came to the rescue with Sophia Dunkley Brown and Anya Shrubsole sharing a crucial 58-run stand for the seventh wicket.

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Both batters went after Dottin, with each player smashing a boundary as the West Indies all-rounder leaked 13 runs in the 13^th over. Afy Fletcher was the next bowler to face the brunt of Shrubsole and Brown as she was hit for a six and a four in the 16^th over. However, Dottin got the vital wicket of Dunkley for 35 and became the leading wicket-taker in the 2018 tournament, having taken a remarkable 5/5 in the first game. England managed to reach 115/8 and the task was upon the Windies batters to respond.

Dottin aggressive

Chasing 116, West Indies started disastrously with Shrubsole getting the wickets of Hayley Matthews (1) and Stafanie Taylor (0) to give England hope. However, Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle steadied the ship and counter-attacked in style. Dottin launched Natalie Sciver for a six over deep midwicket and a boundary through point to ease the pressure.  Campbelle survived a chance on 2 when she was dropped at short fine leg off Sophie Ecclestone.

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Dottin continued to hit sixes at will by launching Danielle Hazell for two sixes and also hitting Ecclestone for another big six. However, the 68-run stand ended when Dottin miscued a pull shot off Kirstie Gordon to be caught at deep square leg.

Campbelle held her nerve but West Indies lost a couple of wickets towards the end as the match became tense. With three runs required off four balls, Campbelle departed for a well-made 45 but Kycia Knight smashed a boundary to spark off wild celebrations in St.Lucia.

West Indies defeated Australia in the final of the Women’s World T20 in 2016 and they will be eager for a repeat. England, on the other hand, will be aiming to repeat their 2017 heroics against India but Harmanpreet Kaur’s side are in great form.