West Indies pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, avenging their 2024 semifinal heartbreak with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in Southampton.A magnificent unbeaten 90 from veteran Shemaine Campbelle and a superb four-wicket haul from Aaliyah Alleyne guided the 2016 champions to a memorable win with just one ball to spare in their tournament opener.Chasing 163 without injured stars Chinelle Henry and Stafanie Taylor, West Indies rode on Campbelle’s career-best knock to overhaul the target at 163/3 and stun the holders.
Aaliyah’s four-for derails New Zealand
Asked to bat first, New Zealand made a promising start before Alleyne turned the match on its head.The medium-pacer removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break a 49-run opening stand and then struck twice in one over, dismissing Amelia Kerr for five and wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze, who had made a fluent 39 off 29 balls with eight boundaries.Reduced to 56/3 in 7.4 overs, New Zealand rebuilt through Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday. Devine struck 22 off 15 balls before Halliday anchored the innings with 40 from 32 deliveries.Maddy Green’s unbeaten 35 off 22 balls helped the defending champions post a competitive 162/6, but Alleyne’s outstanding figures of 4/27 proved decisive.
Campbelle scripts a remarkable comeback
West Indies suffered an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out for two, but skipper Hayley Matthews counterattacked brilliantly.The captain survived several reprieves and hammered 48 off 37 balls, sharing a 74-run stand with Campbelle to wrest back control. After Matthews departed, Campbelle continued her masterclass, adding 40 runs with Deandra Dottin and an unbeaten 37-run partnership with Jahzara Claxton.The Guyanese batter reached her maiden T20I half-century in her 123rd innings and never looked back, finishing with seven fours and three sixes in a composed 62-ball 90 not out.“I just backed my skills,” Campbelle said after the match. “I know I’m the calibre of player I can go and change the situation.”New Zealand endured a forgettable outing in the field, dropping six catches and struggling behind the stumps. Jess Kerr was the lone bright spot with figures of 2/17.
