South Africa also make it to last four from Group B
West Indies stormed into the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday after a dominant six-wicket win over England, led by a fiery start from Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews.
Joseph, with her maiden T20 international half-century (52), and captain Matthews, who struck a 38-ball 50, powered West Indies to chase down England’s 141-7 with 12 balls remaining.
With this result, South Africa also advanced to the semi-finals from Group B, while England bowed out of the tournament.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team. We were up against the odds tonight, but to perform like that, especially with Joseph scoring her first T20I fifty, was outstanding,” said Matthews. “We’ve chased well in this tournament, and we back ourselves to chase down whatever target is set.”
Matthews set the tone from the outset, smashing a six and two boundaries in the first over bowled by Lauren Bell. Joseph soon followed suit, hammering left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone for consecutive boundaries as West Indies raced to 55-0 in just five overs.
In the sixth over, Matthews took a particular liking to Charlie Dean, sending the ball over the square leg boundary for three successive fours.
England were poor in the field, dropping five routine catches.
Joseph, who was named Player of the Match, was eventually dismissed in the 13th over after hitting two sixes and six fours in her 38-ball innings. Matthews fell shortly after, but Deandra Dottin’s 27 ensured West Indies secured their first win over England in 14 matches and their first away victory against them in a decade.
“Credit to them. They came at us hard, played the conditions well, and put us under pressure. It’s tough to take, but full credit to Hayley and her team,” said England captain Heather Knight. “We bowled too short, and they capitalized on it.”
Earlier, England, after being asked to bat, lost Danni Wyatt-Hodge (16) early, thanks to a stunning low catch by Dottin (1-16) off Matthews (2-35). Dottin continued to influence the game, running out Alice Capsey (1) with a sharp one-handed throw.
Opener Maia Bouchier (14) was caught off Afy Fletcher (3-21), reducing England to 34-3 by the seventh over. Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt (57*) steadied the innings, sharing a 46-run partnership before Knight retired hurt with a calf injury.
Fletcher soon struck again, dismissing Amy Jones (7) and Charlie Dean (5) in quick succession, but Sciver-Brunt remained England’s standout performer, hitting five fours in her unbeaten 57 from 50 balls.