Who: New Zealand vs West Indies
What: Second semifinal, ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup 2024
When: Friday, October 18, 6pm (14:00 GMT)
The place: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
The right way to comply with: Al Jazeera’s reside 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 chances.
Australia, the report six-time winners and present holders, have been eradicated on Thursday by a South Africa facet given little hope of exacting revenge on the staff that defeated them on dwelling soil within the remaining of the final version. The Australians had been on a 14-game successful 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 towards India of their opening sport. A outcome 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 comfortable that we’ve made it right here, however … the job’s simply not completed. We’re … hopefully able to play a extremely 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 pleased with that’.”
West Indies’ solely earlier look within the remaining got here in 2016 however that did end in a win. That too went towards the grain, as they beat an Australian facet looking for a fourth consecutive title.
“We’re at all times 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 children to exit and luxuriate in themselves. Yeah. it’s a World Cup semifinal, and it’s an enormous sport, however we’re nonetheless enjoying 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, nevertheless, a chastening expertise for New Zealand, who have been bowled out for 86 in an 80-run defeat. Certainly, Sophie Devine’s facet have been the favourites to complete backside of a gaggle 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 make it possible for we play with that degree of feelings,” mentioned Devine, who may grow to be the primary Kiwi captain to raise a Ladies’s World Cup. “It’s one other sport and we’re making an attempt to maintain issues actually comparable by way of the build-up and the preparation we’re doing.”
New Zealand vs West Indies: Head-to-head report
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 led to a “no outcome” because of a washout.
New Zealand’s greatest outcome at T20 World Cup
Runners-up: 2009, 2010
West Indies’s greatest outcome 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 successful 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 successful the toss have batted first on eight events. 5 of these eight video games have led to 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 will probably 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 p.c humidity, making the true temperature really feel a bit larger.
Workforce information: New Zealand
New Zealand have been spared from main accidents to their traditional enjoying XI and are anticipated to discipline the identical facet 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.
Workforce 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.
