Dottin restricts New Zealand Women to 128 in World Cup semifinal

West Indies seamer Deandra Dottin grabbed 4-22 to help restrict New Zealand to 128-9 in the second semifinal of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Sharjah on Friday.

The New Zealand batters never really got into their stride despite a solid, albeit conservative, opening partnership of 48 between Suzie Bates and Georgia Plummer after they had won the toss and chosen to bat.

The pair, who have only conceded one wicket in the powerplay in this World Cup to date, reached a moderate 32 in the powerplay and 48 in 8.2 overs before Bates missed a reverse sweep off off-spinner Karishma Ramharack and was bowled.

Amelia Kerr was missed twice in succession at long-on by Chinelle Henry, with the second miss causing her to leave the field after the ball struck her flush on the forehead.

Kerr did not profit from this, driving Dottin straight to cover immediately afterwards.

Plummer was New Zealand’s top scorer (33 off 31 balls) before she waltzed down the pitch to leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, missed the ball and was easily stumped by wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle.

Reasonably well placed on 98 for three in the 15th over, New Zealand suffered the loss of four wickets in 13 balls as Dottin carried on her good work.

But the key wicket of the innings was that of skipper Sophie Devine who spliced a delivery from Fletcher to backward point for just 12.

Isabella Gaze (20 not out in 14 balls) tried to up the run-rate for the Kiwis, but it was the West Indian bowlers who took charge in the final five overs as the Caribbean islanders looked well pleased with their efforts.

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (capt), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack

New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas