NZ-W vs WI-W: 3 Reasons Behind Sophie Devine Led New Zealand Women’s Outstanding Victory Against West Indies Women

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On Friday, New Zealand Women, led by Sophie Devine, booked their tickets to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, with a closely fought victory against West Indies Women in Sharjah.

Sophie Devine and her girls are now set to face Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa Women on Sunday, in what promises to be an exciting contest, with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup guaranteed to have a first-time winner.

On that note, let us look at 3 reasons behind New Zealand Women’s outstanding victory against West Indies Women:

1- Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer’s slow, but steady opening stand

Seasoned campaigner Suzie Bates, along with the 20-year old Georgia Plimmer, added 48 runs for the first wicket, before Karishma Ramharack disturbed Suzie Bates’ timber in the 9th over. The partnership was not the most explosive, but in hindsight, the openers did their job.

Sharjah is known to have slow and tricky pitches where the ball does not come on to the bat well. Moreover, New Zealand Women had not been at their best with the bat lately.

Keeping this in mind, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer laid the platform for the batters to follow with a steady stand. They could have been a tad quicker, but it was a massive occasion with a ticket to the final on the cards. This opening stand ensured that there was no early collapse for their side on such a big night.

2- A couple of quickfire cameos down the order

At the end of 12 overs, New Zealand Women had only 69 runs on the board. They needed their middle and lower order to step up and help them to a total that gives their bowlers something to bowl at.

Brooke Halliday did exactly that in her delightful 9-ball cameo. She upped the ante for her side, scoring 18 runs at a strike rate of 200.

She came out all guns blazing, pulling, cutting and nudging anything and everything that was there to be hit. She played just one dot before Deandra Dottin knocked her over.

After Brooke Halliday’s dismissal in the 15th over, it was the 2004-born wicketkeeper batter – Isabella Gaze – who kept the scoreboard ticking. She took 14 balls to score 20 very crucial runs, guiding the White Ferns to a total of 128, which was just about par at Sharjah. 

Without these two cameos, Sophie Devine’s side may just have fallen short of a defendable total considering the batting firepower that the West Indies Women possess.

3- Sophie Devine’s chipping in with vital contributions and dismissing Deandra Dottin timely

Less than a week ago, West Indies Women put up a show with an emphatic 6-wicket win over England Women in their last group stage game.

Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph are more than capable of clearing the ropes at will, but Lea Tahuhu’s experience came in handy as she got rid of skipper Hayley Matthews with a length delivery.

That set the tone, and it was then Eden Carson who ripped through the chasing side’s middle order. She got rid of opener Qiana Joseph, as well as the number 3 and 4 batters, Shemaine Campbell and Stafanie Taylor.

However, it was Deandra Dottin‘s wicket that sealed the game for the Kiwis. On a day where she had taken a 4-fer with the ball, she continued to work her magic with the bat.

Just when Sophie Devine started to think that the game was tilting towards their side, Deandra Dottin turned things around, clearing the ropes thrice in Lea Tahuhu’s over.

Amelia Kerr, as she always does, got the massive, game-changing wicket of Deandra Dottin. 

It was a team effort with every single bowler chipping in with invaluable contributions.

Also Read: 3 Reasons Behind Laura Wolvaardt Led South Africa Women’s Staggering Win Against Australia Women In Semi Final 1


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