New Zealand Triumphs Over Dottin’s All-Round Performance to Reach T20 World Cup Final for First Time Since 2010 New Zealand Triumphs Over Dottin’s All-Round Performance to Reach T20 World Cup Final for First Time Since 2010
New Zealand Triumphs Over Dottin’s All-Round Performance to Reach T20 World Cup Final for First Time Since 2010

October 20, 2024

New Zealand Triumphs Over Dottin’s All-Round Performance to Reach T20 World Cup Final for First Time Since 2010

Deandra Dottin took four wickets and scored a quick 33 runs off 22 balls, but New Zealand’s spinners thwarted the West Indies’ efforts. In a thrilling encounter in Sharjah, New Zealand secured their spot in the Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time in 14 years, defeating the 2016 champions West Indies by eight runs. They will face South Africa, the runners-up from the 2023 edition, as the tournament is set to crown a new champion.

Choosing to bat first, Sophie Devine’s team struggled on a pitch that made scoring difficult, finishing at 128 for 9. Dottin was the standout performer for the West Indies, taking 4 wickets for 22 runs. However, the West Indies’ innings got off to a slow start, with Eden Carson and her teammates restricting them to just 25 for 2 during the powerplay.

Although Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor fought hard, they could only muster 28 runs from 41 balls, leaving the West Indies at 51 for 4 and needing 78 runs from 55 balls. Dottin kept the West Indies’ hopes alive with a spectacular 22-ball 33, hitting Lea Tahuhu for three sixes in one over, which reduced the target to 34 runs from 24 balls. However, her innings came to an end in the 17th over when she top-edged a sweep off Amelia Kerr, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, to short fine leg. Despite New Zealand’s five dropped catches, their bowlers effectively contained the West Indies to 120 for 8.

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Carson Makes Early Breakthroughs

Eden Carson has established herself as New Zealand’s key powerplay bowler, claiming four of her five wickets in this phase before the semi-final. On Friday, she once again made an impact with the ball. After allowing two boundaries to Qiana Joseph, Carson delivered a well-placed length ball on middle that spun past Joseph’s attempted shot, dismantling her stumps. What started as 16 runs without loss quickly turned into 20 for 2 when Carson bowled a full, wide delivery to Shemaine Campbelle. Attempting to step out and hit it, Campbelle misconnected and sent a catch to extra cover, where Suzie Bates made a diving grab.

With these wickets, West Indies’ momentum slowed significantly, as Matthews and Taylor struggled to score quickly. Carson returned in the ninth over, when Matthews and Taylor managed to hit a four each, attempting to accelerate the innings. However, the offspinner had the last laugh, dismissing Taylor for a laborious 13 runs off 20 balls with a misplayed slog sweep. Carson finished with impressive figures of 3 for 29 and was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.

West Indies Excel in the Powerplay

Hayley Matthews was pleased to bowl first, and her team’s performance with the ball reflected that confidence. In the first six overs, shared equally between spin and pace, the West Indies effectively contained New Zealand, conceding just 32 runs. Fast bowler Chinelle Henry delivered three of her four overs during the powerplay, consistently hitting the right lengths and extracting movement both in the air and off the pitch to prevent Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer from settling in.

Of the three boundaries New Zealand managed in this phase, two were gift deliveries: a full toss from Zaida James and an overpitched ball from Henry. Plimmer struggled to find her timing early on, while Bates attempted to advance down the pitch to score quickly but with little success.

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Dottin Shines as She Dismantles New Zealand

It didn’t matter that Deandra Dottin was bowling for only the second time in this T20 World Cup; she drew on her decade of experience to excel on a challenging pitch. Dottin primarily bowled full and straight deliveries while cleverly mixing in slower balls, effectively troubling the New Zealand batters. She made an impact right away, dismissing Amelia Kerr for just 7 runs with her second ball.

However, Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine quickly revitalized the innings, adding 27 runs in just 14 balls. In Dottin’s second over, the 15th of the innings, the momentum shifted back to the West Indies. After a brief stoppage due to Halliday being struck on the foot by a throw, Dottin delivered a yorker that Halliday failed to defend, resulting in her off stump being knocked back. Halliday finished with 18 runs off 9 balls.

In the next over, Afy Fletcher removed Devine for 12 runs off 12 balls, leaving New Zealand at 98 for 5 and putting pressure on Maddy Green and Isabella Gaze to step up. Dottin, however, continued to assert her dominance by dismissing Green and trapping Rosemary Mair lbw with the help of DRS. At 104 for 7, New Zealand seemed to be faltering. Nevertheless, they managed to scrape together 24 runs in the last three overs, which ultimately proved crucial for their total.

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Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for IPLWin365 (IPL365 News), she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.