Women’s World T20 second semi-final

Skipper Stafanie Taylor scored 25 and grabbed three wickets as the West Indies upset favourite New Zealand by six runs in Mumbai on Thursday to make its first-ever appearance in the final of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20.

Britney Cooper smashed a superb 61 off 48 balls to lift the West Indies to 143 for six after New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates won the toss and elected to field.

The tall Cooper smashed five fours and two sixes – both off consecutive deliveries from Leigh Kasperek – to lend momentum to the West Indies innings.

Cooper and Taylor put on 60 for the second wicket after opener Hayley Matthews had fallen for 16 in the third over.
New Zealand wicketkeeper Rahel Priest (L) looks on as West Indies cricketer Britney Cooper plays a shot during the World T20 women’s semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies in Mumbai on March 31.

New Zealand, undefeated in the league stage and finalist in 2009 and 2010, was restricted to 137 for eight in reply at the Wankhede stadium.

The West Indies will clash with Australia, the champion side in the last three editions in 2010, 2012 and 2014, in the final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday afternoon.

West Indies: 143-6 in 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 25, Britney Cooper 61, Deandra Dottin 20; Sophie Devine 4-22)

New Zealand: 137-8 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 22, Sara McGlashan 38, Amy Satterthwaite 24; Stafanie Taylor 3-26)