West Indies have reached the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals by the thinnest route available, surviving Ireland’s Bristol shock only because England removed New Zealand from the equation at The Oval.
The group swung twice in one day. Ireland first beat West Indies by six wickets with 11 balls unused, a result the ICC framed as a historic first World Cup win for the Irish and a missed chance for Hayley Matthews’ side to qualify on their own terms. ESPNcricinfo reported that Orla Prendergast and Ireland’s spinners shaped the low-scoring upset.
England result rescues Matthews side
West Indies then needed England to beat New Zealand. They got more than that: England won by nine wickets, finished Group B unbeaten and ended New Zealand’s title defence, with the ICC confirming that West Indies advanced despite their earlier defeat.
It leaves Matthews with a sharp reset. The earlier West Indies equation has now become a semi-final brief: clean up the chase management, protect the middle order from spin pressure and avoid handing knockout opponents the same opening Ireland found.
Ireland still own the day’s emotional punch. Their win ended a 21-match, 12-year losing run in the competition, according to Sky Sports. West Indies, though, own the consequence that matters most: they are still alive.
