Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table: Updated standings after England vs West Indies matchÂ
The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup - Group B saw a thrilling culmination as West Indies defied the odds to knock joint-favorites England out of the competition. The Women in Maroon completed a six-wicket win to unexpectedly finish atop the group standings on the basis of net run-rate. They have now set up a semi-final clash against New Zealand.
After being put into bat first, England's in-form top order was wrecked by the West Indies bowlers. The inaugural winners of the competition were reeling at 34-3 in the seventh over when the experienced duo of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight took charge.
The duo were building a budding partnership, but the skipper had to retire hurt due to an injury. Nat Sciver-Brunt (57*) led the charge in the later stages of the innings to get the side past the 140-run mark.
The group was poised interestingly in terms of points and net run rate. South Africa qualified for the semi-finals at the halfway mark of the final group stage contest. As a result, the second innings turned out to be a straight shootout between England and West Indies.
Chasing 142 for a place in the knockouts, the duo of Hayley Matthews (50) and Qiana Joseph (52) clobbered the English bowlers. They posted the highest powerplay score of the tournament, with 67 runs on the board in just six overs.
England were completely rattled by the all-out approach of the West Indies. They tried to pull things back but were let down by their abysmal fielding. The side dropped as many as four catches, with Bouchier being responsible for the majority.
West Indies stuttered midway through the run chase after losing wickets in quick succession. However, the platform provided by the openers proved to be enough foundation for them to recover and keep the required rate in check. Deandra Dottin's two sixes off three deliveries in the 16th over by Charlie Dean alleviated a lot of the pressure.
West Indies had to chase down the score inside 19 overs to claim the top spot, and they managed to do it with two overs to spare.
In the end, the trio of England, South Africa, and West Indies were tied at six points apiece. However, West Indies sealed the top spot with a net run rate of +1.504, while South Africa finished second with their figure reading +1.382. After remaining in command for the majority of the group stage, England failed to qualify as they ended with an inferior net run rate of +1.091.
The pair of Bangladesh and Scotland could only finish with 2 points and 0 points respectively.
West Indies had begun their campaign with a tame 10-wicket defeat to South Africa
West Indies earned a semi-final spot for the first time since the 2018 edition. The Hayley Matthews-led side had begun the campaign with a demoralising defeat to South Africa by 10 wickets. However, they bounced back with resounding wins over Scotland and Bangladesh, before ultimately coming on top in the must-win clash against England.
West Indies will play the second semi-final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 18. South Africa, on the other hand, are scheduled to face off against Australia on Thursday, October 17 at the Dubai International Stadium. It will be a rematch of the previous edition's final.