New Zealand Women vs West Indies Women - Commentary

Right then, New Zealand Women are back in the Women's T20 World Cup final after a long wait of 14 years. We will have a new champion as well with the White Ferns taking on back-to-back finalists South Africa Women in Dubai on Sunday, 20 October. The Final will begin at 2 pm GMT but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up to that monumental clash. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Sophie Devine, the victorious skipper of New Zealand Women says that it hasn't sunk in yet but it is a privilege to play in a World Cup final. Adds that the last 2-3 overs with the bat probably saved them. Mentions that they thought they would be short but getting to 128 was a good effort. Further adds, if you have Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin on the other end, you have to be on your toes. Says that they just wanted to stick to their plans and bowl good lines and lengths. Credits West Indies Women for the way they have played in this tournament. Ends by saying that the way Dottin came out of her retirement and also the way Hayley led this side was simply incredible.

Hayley Matthews, the captain of West Indies Women says that they bowled really well up front and even when it got away a bit in the end, the bowlers can't be blamed and they would have taken that score any day. Adds that they wanted to stay positive with Qiana Joseph up top but just couldn't get going with the bat. Mentions that the game never really got out of control and Deandra Dottin gave them a big chance as well. Ends by saying that it is disappointing to go out at this stage but she is proud of her team and as a group they have exceeded expectations in general.

Eden Carson is the Player of the Match for her fine showing with the ball. Carson says that she is a bit emotional at the moment but is very proud of the team. Adds that it was hard when Dottin was smashing it, but they came back strongly. Mentions that they had to defend an under par score and their plan was to take early wickets. Ends by saying that they saw how Windies bowled, and she bowled a bit full and then laughs.

The presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, New Zealand Women won the toss and Sophie Devine wanted to put runs on the board in a knockout game. The openers made a steady start and kept their wickets intact in the Powerplay but failed to accelerate in the middle overs. West Indies Women started to get in the game and Deandra Dottin led that charge with four wickets to her name. A couple of handy knocks from Brooke Halliday and then Izzy Gaze took the White Ferns close to the 130 mark. In reply, New Zealand Women dominated proceedings with the ball but spilled too many catches, allowing West Indies Women to crawl back in the game but did manage to close things out nicely.

West Indies Women couldn't quite achieve what they did back in 2016 but boy, didn't they give it their all. Skipper Hayley Matthews led from the front but it just didn't happen for her and her side tonight. The top order failed to fire with the bat but Deandra Dottin once again showed her magic and almost single-handedly pulled off one of the greatest comebacks but she finally ran out of lives, having been dropped a couple of times early in her innings as well. The duo of Afy Fletcher and young Zaida James did take it close but it was a bridge too far in the final over.

Defending 128 runs, New Zealand Women needed wickets in the Powerplay and that is exactly what they got thanks to Eden Carson. After a double breakthrough, the White Ferns piled on the pressure in the middle overs and got in a positive position. However, a few dropped catches almost proved too costly but they recovered and the ground fielding was tidy in general. Melie Kerr was yet again in the mix with that wicket of Deandra Dottin at a crucial juncture and then Sophie Devine kept her faith in the experienced Suzie Bates to defend 14 runs in the final over and she didn't disappoint.

THE KIWI REVENGE IS COMPLETE AND WE WILL HAVE A NEW HOLDER OF THE WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP! Nothing short of a fairytale this as New Zealand Women were on a horrible run of 10 losses in a row in T20s leading up to the World Cup and now, somehow they find themselves just one game away from lifting the trophy. Another clinical showing with the ball and they have made optimal use of their resources. Joy on one side with Suzie Bates ecstatic and tears of disappointment on the other side with Hayley Matthews seemingly inconsolable but West Indies Women can hold their head high as they have played their part brilliantly.

Ashmini Munisar is the new batter in.

Suzie Bates to bowl the final over. What a surprising move by Sophie Devine! Lea Tahuhu had an over up her sleeve but the experienced pacer was smashed for three sixes in her previous over by Deandra Dottin who isn't on the crease anymore. Also, New Zealand Women have received a fielding penalty and will have an extra fielder inside the inner ring. 15 needed off the final over. Let's go...

Zaida James is in next.