ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Group 2, Southampton
New Zealand 162-6 (20 overs): Halliday 40 (32); Alleyne 4-27
West Indies 163-3 (19.5 overs): Campbelle 90* (62); J Kerr 2-17
West Indies won by seven wickets
Defending champions New Zealand were beaten in their Women’s T20 World Cup opener as West Indies edged a last-over thriller in Southampton.
Chasing 163, West Indies reached their target with a ball to spare as Shemaine Campbelle finished unbeaten on 90.
Sophie Devine was tasked with defending six from the final over and Campbelle gave the strike to 20-year-old Jahzara Claxton with one run needed, with the pair sprinting a bye from the penultimate ball to secure the victory.
Campbelle was visibly emotional at the conclusion as it was her first T20 fifty in 122 matches for the Windies.
New Zealand were left to rue several dropped catches, including star all-rounder Hayley Matthews on nine before she went on to make 48 to set up the chase.
The White Ferns’ 162-6 looked a competitive total at the halfway stage as they recovered from a mini-collapse from 49-0 to 56-3.
After Izzy Gaze made 39 at the top of the order, Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green chipped in with 40 and 35, while Aaliyah Alleyne took 4-27 for West Indies.
It could prove to be a crucial win for West Indies in a group where England are favourites to finish top but the fight for second place is very open.
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