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Last-day drama sees West Indies and South Africa progress

cricket16 October 2024 10:07| © ICC
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The final standings have been confirmed in Group B of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, with West Indies and South Africa qualifying for the semifinals.

Three teams were in the equation for qualification for the semifinals right up until the start of the second innings of the last match of the group.

But the West Indies’ remarkable batting display saw them seal top spot, with South Africa also going through and England crashing out.

Here’s how each team finished:

Group B

1. WEST INDIES (6 points | +1.536 NRR)

The West Indies are a dangerous proposition when they click with the bat, and have the top-order power to take down the best in the world.

And they showed exactly that in their astonishing performance against England to win Group B and seal top spot.

Hayley Matthews said after the game that her team are coming into form at precisely the right moment, and it’s hard to disagree with her.

New Zealand are up next in an intriguing semifinal in Sharjah.

2. SOUTH AFRICA (6 points | +1.382)

South Africa’s job was done long before their semifinal place was eventually confirmed during the match between England and West Indies.

The margin of the Proteas’ crushing win over Scotland gave them a huge boost in NRR terms, and that proved crucial in the end.

Defending champions Australia await in the semifinals.

3. ENGLAND (6 points | +1.091 NRR)

Heather Knight’s England end the group stage as the only team to have won three games and not made it to the semifinals.

In hindsight, perhaps England could have gone harder earlier in the group to give themselves some net run rate leeway, with that factor being ultimately what cost them.

But it won’t really feel like that in the moment. England knew that a win over West Indies in the final group game would have seen them progress as group winners. And there will be plenty to look at following the tournament-ending loss, not least how they appeared to lose their composure in the field when put under pressure.

4. BANGLADESH (2 points | -0.844 NRR) – Eliminated

Bangladesh ended a decade-long wait for a win at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the tournament opener against Scotland.

But that result wasn’t enough to boost Nigar Sultana’s side to further wins, despite some excellent individual performances, not least from the captain herself.

Three straight losses, to England, West Indies and South Africa proved terminal to the Tigresses hopes of qualifying for the semifinals, with their campaign ending at the group stage once again.

Bangladesh have yet to reach the knockout stages of a Women’s T20 World Cup, but showed plenty of reasons to be positive for the future in this tournament.

5. SCOTLAND (0 points | -3.129 NRR) – Eliminated

Scotland were making their first-ever appearance at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and showed flashes of quality in their four defeats.

There were some impressive individual performances too, with the talented Bryce sisters, Sarah and Kathryn, showing plenty of potential.

The challenge now for Scotland will be to get back onto the biggest stage for a chance to build on these first steps.

SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE:

First semifinal: 17 October (16:00pm CAT) - Australia v South Africa, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Second semifinal: 18 October (16:00pm CAT) - West Indies v New Zealand, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

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