'Playing in World Cup final will be a privilege' - Sophie Devine reacts after New Zealand's semi-final win against West Indies

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine was delighted and relieved after the White Ferns beat West Indies in the second semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 18.

Devine called it a privilege to have had a chance to compete in the tournament's summit clash. Devine admitted that the feeling didn't sink in at that time as New Zealand qualified for the final of the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time since 2010. New Zealand beat West Indies by eight runs to set up a title clash with South Africa on Sunday, October 20, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

"Hasn't sunk in at all yet. Still trying to get my brain back from being fried out there. Privileged to have an opportunity to play in the WC final. Our last couple of overs saved our bacon a little bit. I felt we were looking a bit under par. But the way Izzi batted at the end and scraped through a few extra runs. We thought 130 would be a competitive total - not quite par, but the highest chase here was 127. So we knew we were in with a great shout. This wicket here can be tough. We saw in our innings it can be difficult to get away. But when you've got players like Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin in the opposition, the game is never over," Devine said in the post-match press conference.

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Huge respect for the WI side: Sophie Devine

After opting to bat first, New Zealand were restricted to 129/9 after Georgia Plimmer top-scored with a 31-ball 33. Suzie Bates (26), Brooke Halliday (18), and Isabella Gaze (20*) made handy contributions but the West Indies kept chipping away at the wickets and kept New Zealand to what seemed a below-par score. However, New Zealand bowlers started strongly as Eden Carson picked up three out of the first four wickets to fall in the second innings. The West Indies were struggling at 63/5 in the 14th over but Deandra Dottin's counter-attacking knock of 33 off 22 balls brought the Caribbean side back in the contest.

Bates bowled the last over with just three fielders outside the ring as an over-rate penalty was imposed on New Zealand. The Caribbean side needed 15 to win with three wickets in hand. The first ball was hit for a boundary by Zaida James but Bates bounced back strongly to concede just two runs from the remaining over. West Indies could only manage 120/8 in their run-chase. Devine appreciated West Indies' fight and also praised Bates for holding her nerves amid all the pressure in the last over.

"Huge respect for the WI side. Halliday was close to being given the ball as well in terms of being able to take pace off. But to have someone of Suzie's experience - she's been harping on it at training. When you've got that sort of experience, to be able to call on her is pretty clutch with three fielders out. Pretty special for me to throw her the ball," Devine said.

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New Zealand lost 10 T20I matches in a row in the lead-up to the marquee event. Devine was proud of her team for showcasing great character.

"The thing that makes me most proud as a leader is the resilience we've shown and the character we've had, not just in this tournament but the last 12-18 months. Results haven't gone our way and we've had a lot of stick from the outside but the belief in what this group is about, and what we're capable of doing has been there," she added.