West Indies thrash England to reach Women’s T20 World Cup semis

DUBAI: Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews gave the West Indies a powerful start, leading them to a six-wicket win over England and securing a spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday.

Joseph hit her first T20 international half-century, scoring 52, while captain Matthews added 50 from 38 balls. The West Indies chased down England’s total of 141-7 with 12 balls left.

South Africa also advanced to the semi-finals from Group B, while England were knocked out of the tournament.

Matthews expressed her pride in the team, saying, “We were up against the odds, but Joseph scoring her first fifty came at the perfect time.”

Matthews started the chase with a bang, hitting a six and two boundaries in the first over bowled by Lauren Bell. Joseph joined in, hitting two fours off Sophie Ecclestone, and West Indies raced to 55-0 in just five overs.

Matthews continued her strong performance, hitting three boundaries off Charlie Dean in the sixth over. England struggled in the field, dropping five easy catches.

Joseph, named player of the match, was eventually dismissed in the 13th over after hitting two sixes and six fours in her 38-ball innings. Matthews followed soon after, but Deandra Dottin’s 27 ensured West Indies claimed their first victory against England in 14 matches, and their first away win over them in a decade.

England captain Heather Knight praised the West Indies team, saying, “They came at us hard, played the conditions well, and we didn’t respond as we should have.”

England batted first but lost Danni Wyatt-Hodge (16) early, caught just inches off the ground by Dottin off Matthews. Dottin also ran out Alice Capsey for one with a sharp throw to the wicketkeeper.

England continued to struggle, with Maia Bouchier (14) getting caught by Afy Fletcher (3-21) at extra cover, leaving England at 34-3 after seven overs.

Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt (57) worked to rebuild the innings, adding 46 runs together. However, Knight had to retire hurt on 21 with a calf injury, and Fletcher removed Amy Jones (7) and Charlie Dean (5) in back-to-back overs.

Sciver-Brunt was the standout batter for England, scoring an unbeaten 57 from 50 balls with five fours.