WI-W vs NZ-W

9:55 PM local time (2:25 AM IST): A massive win for the West Indies, even without Chinelle Henry! New Zealand will have to take it in their chin and move on to get better. But a huge result here in the context of this group! That will be all from Southampton, as Pradeep and Shahan take your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Hayley Matthews (West Indies captain):  We were able to peg them back at regular intervals with wickets. Yeah, it felt like it was a pretty good wicket to go on, but 160 was definitely chaseable. But I think when we went in with the bat, we were probably a bit behind the run rate versus where we wanted to be. But obviously the wickets in hand were super vital, super important. And having a set batter at the crease was, I think, very crucial. And then for Shemaine to play the innings that she did was just fantastic. She’s obviously very emotional, as she should be, because she’s definitely someone who plays with a lot of heart and a lot of fight. And I think at one point throughout that innings, she was struggling quite a bit to get the ball hit. But I think she just stuck with it and fought with it and ended up on the score she did, which was pretty amazing to see. I think when people look at our West Indies women’s team, they sometimes see just a few names and a few players. So to be able to come out here as a group, have players like Aaliyah Alleyne step up like she did with the ball, Afy Fletcher obviously, but just a full contribution from the team definitely means a lot. And I think it will give us a lot of confidence going back into the rest of the games, knowing that when we do get them back within the squad, it just adds to what we can do. And if we can beat teams like this without the two of them, I think our potential is limitless. And there’s still a lot of work to do. This is just our first game in the tournament. Yeah, my fitness is fine, just a bit of cramp, but all good. Yeah, I think we’re monitoring it day by day at the moment. I don’t think they were too far off from being available today. So hopefully with a few more days, we can see them in the next match potentially. But certainly feels like they will be back out here soon.

Amelia Kerr [New Zealand captain]: [On New Zealand's total of 162]"I thought there were ebbs and flows throughout the innings. West Indies kept pulling us back with wickets at crucial times, but getting to 162 gave us a really good chance. We felt that if we bowled and fielded well, it was a total we could defend."[On the dropped chances in the field]"It's a tough day, especially for it to happen in such an important World Cup game. Our bowlers created plenty of opportunities, but unfortunately we didn't take them. We put down too many chances, and in the end that hurt us badly."[On whether conditions played a part]"No, the conditions were good. There was a bit of sun around early in the innings, but that's not where the dropped catches happened. There are no excuses from our side. It's just really disappointing."[On the positives despite the defeat]"I thought we stayed in the fight despite not executing well in the field. Credit to Shemaine Campbell as well, that was a brilliant innings. Her ball-striking was outstanding, and they were excellent between the wickets too. They out-ran us and outfielded us today."[On bouncing back from the loss]"We have to acknowledge both the good and the bad from today. There were some strong performances, whether it was Maddy finishing with the bat or Jess and Rosemary with the ball. We'll be disappointed tonight, and that's natural, but from tomorrow onwards we have to learn from it, improve, and move forward. It's only the first game, and there is still a long way to go in this tournament."

Shemaine Campbelle is the Player of the Match! Here's what she has to say: [On her match-winning knock]"I back myself a lot and I talk to myself constantly. Before going out there, I told myself I was going to do it for my team, and tonight I was able to come through and deliver."[On scoring her maiden T20I fifty]"The key for me was trusting my skills. I know the kind of player I am and that I can change a game when the situation demands it. I kept telling myself that if I batted straight for the first 20 minutes, I would give myself a great chance to make a meaningful contribution for the team."[On Hayley Matthews' support during the innings]"Hayley was brilliant. She kept talking to me, reminding me to believe in myself and keep playing to my strengths. That confidence and encouragement really helped me stay focused out there."[On her emotions after sealing the win]"I'm a strong believer, and I always trust that God has a plan for me. I thank the Lord for guiding me through this innings and for blessing both me and my team with this result."[On what the victory means for West Indies]"This is a huge win for us. We were without experienced players like Stafanie Taylor and Chinelle Henry, but it also showed the depth we have in this squad. Other players stepped up and made important contributions, and that's a big positive for us as we move forward in the tournament."

West Indies Women chase down 163 to defeat New Zealand Women by 7 wickets with one ball remaining in a thrilling contest.
Batting Highlights (West Indies Women)
Shemaine Campbelle 90 (62)* | Hayley Matthews 48 (37) | Jahzara Claxton 5 (8)*
Bowling Figures (New Zealand Women)
Jess Kerr 2/17 (4) | Sophie Devine 0/27 (3.5) | Rosemary Mair 0/26 (4)

Chasing a competitive target of 163, West Indies suffered an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out, but captain Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle quickly steadied the innings. Matthews played with authority, striking six fours and a six in a fluent 48, ensuring the required rate never spiraled out of control.

The turning point came through a magnificent partnership between Matthews and Campbelle. While Matthews provided the early momentum, Campbelle anchored the chase brilliantly, mixing patience with calculated aggression. Her unbeaten 90 off 62 deliveries proved to be the match-winning knock, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes.

New Zealand fought back through Jess Kerr, who dismissed both Matthews and Deandra Dottin while conceding just 17 runs from her four overs. However, Campbelle remained composed under pressure and guided the chase deep into the final over.

With five runs needed from the last over, West Indies held their nerve. Campbelle and Jahzara Claxton completed the chase with one ball to spare, sealing a memorable victory and capping off a superb run chase.

19.5 Sophie Devine to Jahzara Claxton, APPEAL FOR A RUN-OUT! But, Campbelle might be home here, she knows! West Indies are already celebrating in the dugout. Back of a length, angling into the pads. Claxton misses the swipe. Campbelle quick to get to the other end. Gaze was late again to take the bails off.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS HAVE BEEN STUNNED! West Indies have brought down the defending champions! A statement victory to kick-start their World Cup campaign in style.

19.3 Sophie Devine to Shemaine Campbelle, full into the pads, Campbelle misses out, off the pad into the on-side for a leg-bye. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

19.2 Sophie Devine to Shemaine Campbelle, OH! Brilliant from Devine. Nails the yorker, Campbelle digs it out back towards the bowler. Devine on her follow through, dives to her right and stops it.

19.1 Sophie Devine to Shemaine Campbelle, back of a length outside the off-stump, Campbelle cuts it away to deep backward point. Sharp just about gets in time, dives and stops it. West Indies need just two now!

The West Indies have kept their composure and now only need 4 runs from 6 balls. It is going to be a heavy conversation for New Zealand when the discussion regarding their fielding will happen post game.

18.6 Rosemary Mair to Shemaine Campbelle, good length in the channel, Campbelle dabbed it to short third, keeps the strike for the final over to finish the job.

18.5 Rosemary Mair to Jahzara Claxton, full in the channel, Claxton misses and they steal a bye as the keeper fumbles. Just sums up the night for the White Ferns!

18.4 Rosemary Mair to Shemaine Campbelle, low full toss on the off-stump, Campbelle turned it down to long-on for a single. One hit away now the West Indies!

18.3 Rosemary Mair to Shemaine Campbelle, too full on the stumps, Campbelle digs it out into the on-side, they scamper back for the brace. Wayward throw from the fielder, New Zealand have been awful on the field all night and are on the brink here.

18.2 Rosemary Mair to Shemaine Campbelle, FOUR! Back of a length on the off-stump, Campbelle hammered with a swipe past square-leg, and beats the diving fielder for a boundary. West Indies cruising here.