Galle, Sri Lanka – West Indies Women totally outplayed South Africa Women on Sunday to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament.
In one of the most dominant performances of the competition, West Indies were exceptional with the ball as South Africa could only make 70-8 off their 20 overs at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The Windies then raced to the target off just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket for a comprehensive 10-wicket win – their biggest margin of victory in a T20 International.
The West Indies end the first round top of Group B with four points and will play in the semi-final match later this week at the R Premadasa Stadium. Their opponents will be confirmed when Group A is completed on Monday.
Stafanie Taylor starred with both bat and ball and won the Player of the Match award. She was one of five spin bowlers used by the Windies and ended with a career-best 3-10 off four overs. She was well backed up by 16-year-old leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne, who also had career-best figures of 2-14 off her four overs.
When West Indies batted Taylor stroked 33 not out off 30 balls with six boundaries. In the process, she became the first West Indian woman to make 1,000 runs in T20 Internationals. She was partnered by Juliana Nero, who returned to the top of the order and made 30 not out off 28 balls with four boundaries.
Captain Merissa Aguilleira said that following their shock defeat against Sri Lanka on Friday, her advice to the team was to play with freedom and showcase their skills.
“We knew we had the quality and ability,” Aguilleira said after the match. “In the match against Sri Lanka we didn’t play up to the usual standard that we set for ourselves so we just spoke about improving and playing without any worry, because qualification to the semi-finals was well within our reach.”
Noting that it was a deliberate ploy to go after the South African batters with spin, she said: “We know that they fancy pace on the ball and like the ball coming onto the bat. We decided to change the normal game-plan and force them to go for shots by using our slow bowlers.
“Last night we analysed each of their players. We had specific plans in place. We played a couple of warm-ups so we had an idea of what to expect against them.”
Aguilleira also heaped praise on Taylor, the vice captain, and Sherwin Campbell, the coach, for the planning and the turnaround after the defeat against the home team.
“Stafanie showed today why she is among the best in the world at the moment and rated among the best women who have played international cricket. She led the way with the ball and came back to finish the job with the bat. She’s a class act and always gives her all for the team,” Aguilleira said.
“Sherwin is a very good coach. He is someone who has had vast experience of playing and coaching. He is extremely persistent, but it is up to us at the end of the day to implement the plans. He has been really good for us.”
The West Indies travelled to Colombo on Sunday evening where they will prepare for the semi-finals.
West Indies Women World T20 Schedule
First round matches
Wed, Sep 26: beat New Zealand by 7 wickets at Galle International Stadium
Fri, Sep 28: lost to Sri Lanka by 5 run (D/L Method) at Galle International Stadium
Sun, Sep 30: beat South Africa by 10 wickets at Galle International Stadium
Semi-finals
Thu, Oct 4: Winner Group A vs Second Group B – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri, Oct 5: Second Group A vs Winner Group B – Premadasa Stadium
Grand Final
Sun, Oct 7: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 – Premadasa Stadium
