Women’s World Cup T20: Shemaine Campbell stars as West Indies stun defending champions New Zealand

West Indies’ Shemaine Campbell (left) and Jahzara Claxton celebrate after scoring the winning runs. (AP photo) West Indies pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, avenging their semi-final miss in 2024 with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in Southampton.A magnificent unbeaten 90 from veteran Shemaine Campbell and a superb four-wicket haul from Aaliyah Alleyne led the 2016 champions to a memorable victory with just one ball to spare at the start of the tournament.Chasing 163 without injured stars Chinelle Henry and Stafanie Taylor, West Indies rode on Campbelle’s career-best knock to overhaul the target at 163/3 and stun the holders.

Aaliyah’s four-for derails New Zealand

Asked to bat first, New Zealand made a promising start before Alleyne turned the match on its head.The medium pacer removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break the opening stand for 49 runs, then struck twice in one over, dismissing Amelia Kerr for five and wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze, who played a fluent 39 off 29 balls with eight boundaries.Reduced to 56/3 in 7.4 overs, New Zealand rebuilt with the help of Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday. Devine blasted 22 off 15 balls before Halliday anchored the innings with 40 off 32 deliveries.Maddy Green’s unbeaten 35 off 22 balls helped the defending champions post a competitive 162/6, but Alleyn’s excellent figures of 4/27 proved decisive.

Campbell has made a remarkable comeback

West Indies suffered an early setback when Qiana Joseph ran out two but skipper Hayley Matthews struck brilliantly.The skipper survived several reprieve and smashed 48 off 37 balls, sharing 74 runs with Campbell to regain control. After Matthews departed, Campbell continued her master class, adding 40 runs with Deandra Dottin and an unbeaten 37 runs with Jahzara Claxton.The Guyanese batsman hit her maiden T20I half-century in her 123rd innings and never looked back, finishing with seven fours and three sixes in a 62-ball 90 not out.“I just backed up my skills,” Campbelle said after the game. “I know I’m the caliber of player that can make a difference.”New Zealand endured a forgettable outing in the field, dropping six catches and struggling behind the stumps. Jess Kerr was the only bright spot with figures of 2/17.