Sara McGlashan starred with a 55-ball 84 as New Zealand beat hosts West Indies by 56 runs to set up a summit clash against traditional rivals Australia in the Women’s World Twenty20 here.
Riding on McGlashan’s blazing knock, New Zealand, who finished runners-up at the last edition of the event, made 180 for five in their 20 overs.
In reply, the hosts could only manage 124 for eight in stipulated 20 overs last night. McGlashan was declared player of the match.
The win sets up New Zealand against Australia in the final scheduled tomorrow in Barbados.
The Kiwi women were off to a rather wobbly start as they lost opener Suzie Bates (7) with just 18 runs on the board.
The other opener, skipper Aimmee Watkins (20) didn’t last long either, leaving New Zealand at a precarious 49 for two in eight overs.
In walked McGlashan and she quickly started rebuilding the innings. Together with Sophie Devine (27), McGlashan put on 93 runs for the third wicket, which pout New Zealand in a strong position.
McGlashan struck six fours and a couple of sixes in her fantastic innings before being run out by Shakera Selman. Devine’s 22-ball knock included a four and a six.
For West Indies, Selman was the most successful bowler picking up two wickets, conceding 27 runs in her four overs.
In reply, opener Stafanie Taylor was the lone West Indian batter to put up some resistance with a 33-ball 40 that included three fours and a couple of sixes.
Watkins was New Zealand’s star with the ball as she grabbed three wickets giving away just 26 runs in her four overs.
After playing a stellar role with the bat, McGlashan made an impression in the field as well when she ran out Taylor.
The West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never got a partnership going, which was crucial to the chase.
