T20 World Cup 2016

On one side, you have a two-time finalist. And, on the other, there is a perennial semifinalist.
This means that either New Zealand or the West Indies will suffer another dose of heartbreak at the Wankhede on Thursday. Then again, those are the kind of emotions you associate an enormous contest like an ICC Women’s World Twenty20 semifinal with. Bring it on!
Much like their male counterparts, the ‘White Ferns’ won all their group matches, including the big-ticket game against Australia in which off-spinner Leigh Kasperek bowled an astonishing first spell to reduce the arch-rival to an unbelievable four for four in four overs!
Apart from that stunning performance in Nagpur, Suzie Bates’s side notched up wins over Sri Lanka, Ireland and South Africa.
Never mind the logistical nightmare the team underwent at one stage of the tournament in which it had to undertake a ‘Bharat Darshan’ of sorts to cover the 1,200-km distance from Chandigarh to Nagpur.
‘Good vibes’
Up against New Zealand will be a bustling bunch from the Caribbean. On Wednesday, the West Indies skipper Stefanie Taylor spoke of the “good vibes” she felt during the team’s training session.
For a team that’s stumbled at the last-four stage on no less than three occasions in this tournament, those positive sensations mean a lot.
If nothing, they indicate the team’s desire to go one step closer to the trophy. With three wins, including a defining one against Mithali Raj’s India, the West Indies have the wherewithal to stun New Zealand.
The boundary ropes have been brought in by a few yards, and with the pitch expected to play true, the ladies will be expected to play out a relatively high-scoring afternoon game. The same pitch will be used for the men’s semifinal in the evening.
Both Bates and Taylor acknowledged the contribution of their respective men’s teams in terms of cricketing advice and motivation.
While Bates thanked Brendon McCullum for always being there, Taylor left the media in splits by declaring that “Chris Gayle is a hard guy to find”.
She, however, expressed her gratitude to Darren Sammy, who she said makes it a point to talk to the girls every now and then.