West Indies Women produced one of the early shocks of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they defeated defending champions New Zealand Women by seven wickets in a dramatic Group B contest at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
Chasing 163 for victory, West Indies reached 163/3 in 19.5 overs, sealing a memorable win with just one ball to spare. The result gave the Caribbean side a powerful start to their campaign and left New Zealand with plenty to think about after a costly and untidy performance in the field.
New Zealand, sent in to bat after West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl, posted 162/6 in their 20 overs. Isabella Gaze gave them a bright start with 39 off 29 balls, striking eight boundaries, while Brooke Halliday top-scored with 40 from 32 deliveries.
However, West Indies kept striking at crucial moments. Aaliyah Alleyne was outstanding with the ball, taking 4/27 from her four overs to prevent New Zealand from building a total beyond reach. Her spell broke the rhythm of the defending champions and gave West Indies belief before the chase.
New Zealand had started well through Gaze and Georgia Plimmer, who put on 49 for the opening wicket. But once Plimmer fell for 8, the innings began to lose shape. Amelia Kerr was dismissed cheaply for 5, while Gaze followed soon after, leaving New Zealand 56/3 in the eighth over.
Sophie Devine and Halliday then tried to rebuild the innings. Devine made a quick 22 off 15 balls before falling to Hayley Matthews, while Halliday played a steady hand to take New Zealand beyond 100. Maddy Green added important late runs with an unbeaten 35 off 22 balls, helping New Zealand reach a competitive total.
At 162/6, New Zealand had runs on the board, but West Indies would have felt the target was within reach. That confidence was tested early when Qiana Joseph was run out for 2, leaving the chase under pressure.
Captain Hayley Matthews responded with intent. She struck 48 from 37 deliveries, hitting six fours and one six, and shared a vital 74-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. That stand brought West Indies back into the match and gave the innings the stability it needed.
Campbelle then took control. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter played one of the finest innings of her career, finishing unbeaten on 90 from 62 balls. Her knock included seven fours and three sixes, and it carried West Indies through the tense final stages of the chase.
Even after Matthews fell with the score on 86, Campbelle kept West Indies moving forward. Deandra Dottin made only 6, but the target remained within reach because Campbelle refused to give New Zealand a way back into the game.
Jahzara Claxton stayed with Campbelle at the end as West Indies completed the chase in 19.5 overs. The winning runs sparked emotional celebrations, with Campbelle’s innings standing out as the defining performance of the match.
For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the best bowler, finishing with 2/17 from four overs. However, dropped catches and missed chances proved costly as the defending champions allowed West Indies to stay alive in the chase for too long.
The victory was more than just two points for West Indies. It was a statement win against the defending champions and a reminder that they remain dangerous in tournament cricket when their senior players deliver under pressure.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. They had enough runs to defend, but their fielding mistakes and inability to close out key moments made the difference in a match decided in the final over.
Shemaine Campbelle was named Player of the Match for her magnificent unbeaten 90, an innings that guided West Indies to a famous win and gave their World Cup campaign the perfect start.
Chief Scores
New Zealand Women 162/6 in 20 overs
Brooke Halliday 40, Isabella Gaze 39, Maddy Green 35 not out
Aaliyah Alleyne 4/27, Hayley Matthews 1/31, Deandra Dottin 1/22
West Indies Women 163/3 in 19.5 overs
Shemaine Campbelle 90 not out, Hayley Matthews 48
Jess Kerr 2/17
Result: West Indies Women won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Shemaine Campbelle
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