Eden Carson shines as New Zealand enter the final after 14 years

New Zealand booked their ticket to the T20 World Cup 2024 final for the first time in 14 years by defeating Group B toppers West Indies in the second semi-final on Friday (October 18) in Sharjah. The White Ferns will meet South Africa in the final as both sides will be looking to bring home their maiden T20 World Cup title. 

West Indies made one change to their playing XI as the veteran Stafanie Taylor returned from her injury, replacing Chedean Nation. New Zealand, on the other hand, remained unchanged. Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first. 

The White Ferns were off to a slow start, which was expected from the pitch which hasn't seen many high scores in this tournament. They scored only 32 runs in the power play, but without losing any wicket which was a positive. The Windies eventually got the first breakthrough with Karishma Ramharack's help as Suzie Bates departed for 26 runs. 

Georgia Plimmer, who was impressive in the group stage, looked in good form on Friday as well. Deandra Dottin came into the attack and instantly removed Melie Kerr from the crease. Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher opened her account for the day, dismissing Plimmer for 33 runs off 31 balls.

Brooke Halliday played with an aggressive intent right from the beginning and attacked Fletcher. But she eventually fell victim to Dottin as the World Boss claimed her second prey. Fletcher followed Dottin's way and also picked her second wicket by sending Devine back to the dugout. Dottin bowled a magical 17th over in which she bagged two more wickets, getting the better of Maddy Green and Rosemary Mair.

New Zealand couldn't do much in the death overs. Izzy Gaze hit a couple of boundaries, but that wasn't enough to help the White Ferns secure a competitive total. They registered only 128 runs at the loss of nine wickets.

West Indies didn't have the start they were looking for in the power play. Eden Carson got rid of Qiana Joseph and Shemaine Campbelle in her first two overs. The Windies lost two wickets in the power play and scored only 25 runs. The middle overs also went in New Zealand's favour with Wesi Indies being able to do very little. Carson got her third wicket, breaking the timber and dismissing Taylor. 

Lea Tahuhu joined the action and removed the dangerous Hayley Matthews for just 15 runs, which was followed by Kerr getting the better of Aaliyah Alleyne. The Windies were in huge trouble and needed someone to turn up after four important losses. Dottin, who performed fantastically with the ball, was West Indies' one last hope in this game.

The World Boss bossed the pitch by hitting three sixes in Tahuhu's third over, releasing some pressure off her side. But Kerr stepped up yet again and send her back to the pavilion in the next over. Left-arm spinner Fran Jonas took out Nation, and the Windies required 15 runs off the last over with Fletcher and Zaida James at the crease. 

Devine handed the last over to Bates, which took everyone by surprise since she hadn't bowled in the entire tournament. In the first delivery, James smashed her for a boundary, but got clean bowled by her in the third delivery after a dot ball. With 11 required off the last three balls, West Indies succumbed, sending New Zealand to the the T20 World Cup final for the third time. Carson was awarded the Player of the Match for her clutch display with the ball.

Brief scores: New Zealand 128/9 in 20 overs (Georgia Plimmer 33, Suzie Bates 26; Deandra Dottin 4/22, Afy Fletcher 2/23) beat West Indies 120/8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 33; Eden Carson 3/29, Melie Kerr 2/14) by 8 runs. POTM: Eden Carson