West Indies Women beat New Zealand Women by 7 wickets in Southampton after chasing down 163 with a ball to spare
New Zealand posted 162/6, led by Izzy Gaze, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, but Aaliyah Alleyne’s 4/27 kept them in check
Shemaine Campbelle starred with an unbeaten 90 off 62 balls, guiding West Indies home alongside Hayley Matthews’ 48
West Indies defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in match 4 of the Women’s T20 World Cup Group B clash at the Rose Bowl, Southampton on Saturday, 13 June.
The match started with West Indies Women winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a good batting surface, backing their attack to put early pressure on the defending champions as New Zealand were put in to bat.
New Zealand responded strongly through Izzy Gaze’s attacking 39 and Brooke Halliday’s composed 40, while Maddy Green’s unbeaten 35 at the death pushed them to 162/6. However, Aaliyah Alleyne’s outstanding spell of 4/27 tore through the middle order and ensured the innings never fully took off.
Chasing 163, West Indies suffered an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out in a mix-up, but Hayley Matthews (48 off 37) and Shemaine Campbelle rebuilt with control and intent, steadying the innings under pressure from New Zealand’s attack.
Campbelle then took over the chase with authority, producing a career-defining unbeaten 90 off 62 balls, her first T20I fifty in a long international career, punishing loose deliveries and capitalising on a string of missed chances in the field from New Zealand.
West Indies eventually reached 163/3 in 19.5 overs to seal the win with a ball to spare, opening their campaign with a strong statement performance led by Campbelle’s composure and Alleyne’s breakthrough bowling spell.
