Match 4: New Zealand v West Indies

June 14, 2026June 14, 2026 Rob Harvey 27 Views New Zealand, West Indies

Campbelle Heroics Sets Tournament Ablaze

An emotional Shemaine Campbelle dropped to her knees in prayer after her heroic innings set the tournament alight, securing victory for the West Indies over the reigning champions, New Zealand who had an uncharacteristically bad case of butter fingers.

Hayley Matthews won the toss for West Indies and this seemed to backfire at first with a particularly entertaining knock from Izzy Gaze (39) who dominated from the outset. Then, a mini collapse. First Georgia Plimmer (8) when the score was 49, followed by Amelia Kerr (5) and then Gaze herself to leave the Kiwis teetering at 56/3 in the eighth over.

To the rescue, Brooke Halliday (40) and Maddy Green (35*) who put the New Zealand innings back on track to get the White Ferns to a respectable total of 162/6. Aaliyah Alleyne (4-27) was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, returning her best figures in international cricket.

Defending a solid target still needs a good effort with the ball and in the field. The White Ferns bowlers offered up plenty of chances, only for them to be grassed. TV commentator Ian Bishop was writing each one down – ha ran out of paper. It was the most bizarre thing, watching catch after catch go down. Even the keeper joined in with two missed stumpings.

All of that does not diminish the mighty effort from Campbelle. Hayley Matthews (48) had chimed in earier in the innings, but this was the Shemaine show and the pocket rocket belied her size by belting three sixes in her innings of 90*, and rightfully awarded Player of the Match.