ENG-W Vs WI-W Highlights: Fletcher’s Three-Fer, WI's All-Round Excellence Knocks Out ENG

West Indies knocked England out of the T20 World Cup [Source: @ICC/x]

In a remarkable turn of events, unbeaten England slumped to their first defeat of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup by falling short to West Indies in Dubai. The outcome knocked the Englishwomen out of the competition, and helped West Indies join the South Africans in becoming one of the two semifinalists from Group B.

Here’s the timeline of how ENG-W Vs WI-W panned out in Dubai:

ENG-W Vs WI-W Highlights: Hayley Matthews, Afy Fletcher Strike Early For WI

English openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge forged 29 runs together for the first wicket in less than four overs before the latter mistimed one off Hayley Matthews. Number three batter Alice Capsey also made her way back to the sheds a couple of deliveries later courtesy of some fielding brilliance from Deandra Dottin.

Afy Fletcher struck off her first ball by getting rid of a well-set Bouchier (14) as England slipped to 34-3 around the opening powerplay.

From there on, Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Heather Knight steadied England’s sinking ship by navigating them to 61-3 at the halfway stage of the innings.

ENG-W Vs WI-W Highlights: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 57* Sets Up England’s 141

Heather Knight retired herself out of the field after smacking 13-ball 21* to take England to 80-3. Unbeaten Nat Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, top-scored with 57 unbeaten runs from 50 deliveries. Smearing five boundaries in the process, Nat ensured runs kept flowing from one end of the crease as West Indies bowlers fought back with a slew of wickets during the slog overs.

Afy Fletcher unfurled the spell of the match with figures of 3-21, while Hayley Matthews claimed 2-35. Senior all-rounder Deandra Dottin took the wicket of Danielle Gibson in the penultimate over before England could form 141-7 by the completion of their innings.

ENG-W Vs WI-W Highlights: WI Openers Smack 50s In 102-Run Stand

West Indies openers Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph clubbed belligerent half-centuries at the top of the order, and forged 102 runs together in just 12.2 overs.

The two cricketers scaled the 50-run mark for the West Indies in just the fifth over of the innings, and reached 89-0 by the halfway stage.

Joseph smeared 52 runs from just 38 balls with six boundaries and a couple of sixes before becoming the first casualty of the West Indies run-chase, courtesy of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

ENG-W Vs WI-W Highlights: Ecclestone, Glenn Claim Late Wickets But WI Seal Easy Chase

An over after Qiana Joseph’s departure, fellow half-centurion and opening batter Hayley Matthews also made her way back to the pavilion by miscuing one off Sarah Glenn.

Deandra Dottin at number four clobbered two sixes and a couple of boundaries in her blazing 27-run knock to take West Indies to the brink of a remarkable victory.

With Sophie Ecclestone knocking over Dottin at 136-4, Aaliyah Alleyne shrugged off the remaining runs with two boundaries as West Indies blazed past England’s 141-7 with six wickets and two overs to spare.

The outcome elevated West Indies to the top of the Group B points table, as they qualified for the semifinals alongside South Africa.

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