Windies Women top England in T20 World Cup spectacle

West Indies held their nerve to beat England by four wickets in a last-over thriller here yesterday evening, topping Group A, securing precious momentum and setting up a blockbuster semi-final against Australia.

Chasing a paltry 116 for victory at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, West Indies were left needing five from the final over, and after two byes came off the first ball and Shemaine Campbelle holed out in the deep off the second, left-hander Kycia Knight calmly stroked the third ball from seamer Anya Shrubsole to the ropes at point to secure victory.

Player of the Match Deandra Dottin set up the run chase with a robust 46 off 52 deliveries, while Campbelle was superb in carving 45 off 42 balls to sustain the tempo of the innings.

HAD SLUMPED

Their knocks pulled the reigning champions out of trouble after they had slumped to three runs for two wickets in the second over, with Hayley Matthews (1) and captain Stafanie Taylor (0) both out cheaply.

Dottin had earlier made her mark with the ball, grabbing two for 21 from her four overs as England, asked to bat first in the top-of-the-table clash, were held to 115 for eight off their 20 overs.

Sophia Dunkley struck 35 from 30 balls with three fours and a six and Shrubsole, 29 from 26 balls with two fours and a six, while opener Tammy Beaumont hit 23 from 28 deliveries.

Fast bowler Shakera Selman, who snatched two for 15 from her four overs, rattled England’s top order and left the visitors wobbling on 50 for six in the 11th over.