Cricket: West Indies Women to play Australia in their first-ever T20 final

West Indies Women booked their spot in the final of the Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup for the first time ever when they beat New Zealand Women (Kiwis) by 6 runs in the second semi-final.

The Caribbean side rattled up a challenging 143 for 6 off their 20 overs and then bowled well to restrict the Kiwis to 137 for 8.

West Indies Women had previously been knocked out at the semi-final stage of the last three T20 World Cups.

In Sunday’s final, they will now face nemesis Australia who beat England Woman by 5 runs in Wednesday’s first semi-final.

West Indies Women were earlier propelled by a top score of 61 from Britney Cooper, who fashioned her maiden half-century in T20s.

She faced 48 balls and counted 5 fours and 2 sixes and put on 60 for the second wicket with captain Stafanie Taylor who scored 25. Cooper put on another 44 for the third wicket with Deandra Dottin who got 20.

In reply, New Zealand Women were undermined by Taylor, who claimed three for 26 with her incisive off-spin.

Sara McGlashan top-scored with 38 from 30 deliveries, Amy Satterthwaite struck 24 from 29 balls while Sophie Devine chipped in with a cameo 22 from 14 balls. -(CMC)