Campbelle, Matthews outmuscle New Zealand to land famous victory
Dismal fielding effort sinks defending champions in nailbiter at Hampshire Bowl
Dismal fielding effort sinks defending champions in nailbiter at Hampshire Bowl
Scorer: Thilak Ram | Commentator: Alan Gardner
10pm: Time to hear from the captains, starting with Melie Kerr: "Thought there were ebbs and flows, they kept pulling us back with wickets. We thought, got up to 160, we gave ourselves a good chance of defending that. [Fielding] It's a tough day, and in a really important game. Bowlers are creating opportunities and we weren't taking then. Too many chances put down and that hurt us a lot. Conditions are good, there was a bit of sun early on, but no excuses, just disappointing. [Positives] We stayed in the fight, despite dropping chances and not quite executing. The way Campbelle played, it was a brilliant innings, and the running between the wickets. They outran us and they outfielded us. Acknowledge the good stuff, the way Maddy finished, Jess and Rosemary with the ball. We can be sad and disappointed but come tomorrow we've got to turn up."
And here's Hayley Matthews: "Think we did a pretty good job, pegging them back at regular intervals. Felt like it was a good wicket to go out and bat on. We were a bit behind the rate, but wickets in hand were super vital and having a set batter was crucial. For Shemaine to play the innings she did was fantastic, she's emotional as she plays with a lot of heart and fight. She was struggling at one point but stuck with it. [Do it without Taylor, Henry] Means a lot, when people look at West Indies, they see a few names and a few players, so to see someone like Aaliyah Alleyne to step up with the ball, it gives ups a lot of confidence. When we get those players back, our potential is limitless. [Injury?] I'm fine, just a bit of cramp. [Taylor and Henry?] We're monitoring day by day, weren't too far off, so hopefully we can see them in the next match. [Campbelle] Kept telling her we needed to get the run rate up. It wasn't working, but we trusted her fully, knew that the longer you bat, the easier it gets. She's got a lot of self belief and kept telling me it was going to come good eventually. [Boost qualification chances] Really exciting, everyone high on vibes tonight, but it's a World Cup, you have to be on the ball. Scotland next and we can't take anyone lightly. We have to be right on it. Enjoy the celebration but don't get complacent."
And that - breathe - is that. What a cracking match, and it means the path for the defending champions is fraught with jeopardy from here on, following England's statement win on the opening night. For now, you can drink it all in with Andrew Miller's report, and then get ready for more to come tomorrow with a Group 1 double-header featuring Bangladesh vs Netherlands and India vs Pakistan. Thanks for keeping us company. Bye!
9.50pm: Jubilation for the girls in maroon, they've rocked the White Ferns on a famous night down in Southampton. Shemaine Campbelle looks like she can't believe what she's done, as her team-mates flood on to the field to embrace her. She finishes unbeaten on 90 from 62 balls, having never made fifty in 154 T20Is to this point. Her efforts meant the loss of Hayley Matthew for 48 off 37 wasn't terminal - and don't forget, that the Windies went into this game without with two big hitters in Stafanie Taylor and Chinelle Henry, too. They were given helping hand (literally) by NZ in the field, though. Six or seven dropped chances, a couple of missed stumpings, innumerable fumbles. Melie Kerr will have to pull her side off the floor after this
Shemaine Campbelle is, of course, the Player of the Match: "Just went out and backed myself, said I was going to do it for my team and tonight I came through and did it. [Approach] I just backed my skills, I know I'm the calibre of player I can go and change the situation. Told myself if I bat straight for the first 20 minutes, I can do the job for my team. Believe in yourself, keep playing to your strengths and that worked for me. I know god got me, and I prayed to him. It's a big thing for us, no Stafanie and Chinelle, but we've still got players who can do it."
One from two. Steady!
Scores level, Claxton on strike. Three balls to find one run
Full marks for honesty, Eli: "Almost sent in a message at the start of the innings about how Campbelle must be the worst #3 in the tourney, averaging 15 and struggling to score a run a ball most games. Glad I didn't send that inâŠwhat a time to almost double her career high score!"
Two from five
Down to the last six balls. Windies needing four to beat the reigning champs. Campbelle on strike to Devine
After more than a decade in the shadows, Shemaine Campbelle had her turn in the limelight in West Indies' opening game of the 2026 T20 World Cup
Missing two key players West Indies needed someone to stand up and the No. 3 did so in dramatic style
Dismal fielding effort sinks defending champions in nailbiter at Hampshire Bowl
Henry, Taylor still unavailable for West Indies as Hampshire Bowl hosts in bright sunshine
Hayley Matthews evokes West Indies' 2016 triumph ahead of semi-final rematch from last time around