By Aritra Chowdhury
Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) With an all-win record in the group stages of the women's World Twenty20 tournament, New Zealand will aim to extend their winning momentum and seal a place in the final when they take on the West Indies in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.
New Zealand come into the match after winning all four matches comfortably in the group stages against Sri Lanka, Ireland, Australia and South Africa. The team look favourites to win the tie and seal a place in the final scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens on April 3.
On the other hand, the West Indies have lost only one match against England but have outclassed Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to make it to the semis.
On Thursday it will be a fresh start for both the teams as they give it all in the do-or-die clash.
New Zealand will rely on in-form batsman and captain Suzie Bates, who has led from the front with the bat, and currently sits at the top of the run-getters list with 171 runs in four matches.
The skipper and Rachel Priest have come out as one of the destructive batting pair in womens cricket at present.
The likes of Sophie Devine, Sara McGlashan and Amy Satterthwaite in the middle order make the batting line-up even strong.
Besides their strong batting, the spin trio of Leigh Kasperek, Morna Nielsen and Erin Bermingham have been the stand out performers when it comes to the bowling department.
While on the other hand, batsman Stafanie Taylor with 162 runs from four matches has been the consistent performer for the Windies and she is placed in the third position in the top run-getters list.
The team will rely a lot on the 24-year-old to fire for them again in the crucial match.
Deandra Dottin, Healey Matthews and Shaquana Quintyne have also come good in the ongoing tournament and skipper Taylor will hope the team plays to their potential and delivers against an in-form New Zealand side.
The Squads:
New Zealand: Suzie Bates (captain), Sophie Devine, Erin Bermingham, Leigh Kasperek, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Sara McGlashan, Katey Martin, Thamsyn Newton, Morna Nielsen, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Rachel Priest, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Shakera Selman, Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne, Tremayne Smartt.
(Aritra Chowdhury can be contacted at aritra.c@ians.in)
