Mumbai, March 31 (IANS) Britney Cooper smashed a quickfire 61 off just 48 balls as the West Indies posted a challenging 143/6 in 20 overs against New Zealand in the second semi-final of the Women's World Twenty20 at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.
En route to her half-century, Britney struck five boundaries and two sixes. For New Zealand, Sophie Devine (4-22) was the pick of the bowlers.
Put in to bat on a batting friendly wicket, the West Indies got off to a modest start scoring 40 runs for the loss of one wicket in the powerplay. Hayley Matthews (16) was the only wicket they lost within the first six overs of the play.
From there on, skipper Stafanie Taylor (25) and incoming batswoman Britney held on to bring up the 50-run partnership in just 47 balls for the second wicket and thus help team cross the 60-run mark in the tenth over.
But as both the batswomen were looking good to take on the bowlers, New Zealands Sophie brought the much needed breakthrough in the 12th over to end the 60-run stand for the second wicket by dismissing in-form Stafanie. The Windies were reduced to 78/2 in 12 overs.
The second wicket did not put the brakes on the scoring as Britney along with new batswoman Deandra Dottin (20) played sensibly to help team cross the 100-run mark in the 15th over and set the stage for a perfect finish.
The 44-run partnership for the third wicket ended in the 18th over as Dottin looking to up the scoring rate gave her wicket away. Seamer Sophie struck for the second time in the same over removing the set Britney to put check on the run flow. The Windies were reduced to 125/4 in 18th over.
In the end, Merissa Aguilleira (15 not out) remained unbeaten to take team to 143/6.
Brief scores: West Indies Woman 143/6 in 20 overs (Britney Cooper 61; Sophie Devine 4-22, Morna Nielsen 1-14) vs New Zealand Woman.
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