In a thrilling clash at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 18, in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, West Indies (WI-W) will battle it out against New Zealand (NZ-W) in Semi-final 2.
West Indies made a remarkable comeback after suffering a defeat in their first match against South Africa by 10 wickets. They went on to win three consecutive games, finishing on top of Group B with three wins in four matches. The team showed great resilience and determination to bounce back in such a convincing manner.
On the other hand, New Zealand had a minor setback during their campaign in Group A, losing only to Australia by 60 runs. They displayed strong performances in all their other matches, securing the second spot in Group A. The Kiwis have their eyes set on reaching their third final, having reached consecutive finals in 2009 and 2010, where they finished as runners-up to England and Australia, respectively.
The pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is expected to provide support to both batsmen and spin bowlers as the game progresses. The pacers can benefit from the early hard deck, while the slower bowlers can exploit the pitch conditions once the shine wears off. The weather forecast indicates clear skies and sunny conditions, ruling out any threat of rain.
New Zealand Women will rely heavily on their bowlers, with players like Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson expected to play key roles. The team will be hoping for their bowlers to continue their stellar form in the semi-finals. However, they will need to address the concerns surrounding their middle-order batting, which seemed a bit off-color in the previous game.
The predicted XI for New Zealand includes key players such as Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Sophie Devine (c), and others, as they look to overcome the West Indies challenge in the crucial knockout stage.
Meanwhile, West Indies Women’s opening pair of Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph have been in sublime form, with a stunning 102-run partnership in their last game. Matthews’ strategic use of multiple bowlers in the previous match caught the attention of the New Zealand team, who will have to prepare thoroughly to counter West Indies’ strong opening combination.
As the two teams gear up for a thrilling encounter, fans can expect an exciting match-up between two top-quality sides vying for a place in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.