Campbelle’s unbeaten 90 guides West Indies to thrilling victory over New Zealand
West Indies women’s cricket team produced a remarkable run chase to defeat New Zealand women’s cricket team in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to a sensational unbeaten innings from Shemaine Campbelle.
Campbelle delivered one of the finest knocks of her T20 international career, smashing an unbeaten 90 runs studded with seven boundaries and three sixes. The explosive innings marked her highest individual score in T20 internationals and powered West Indies to one of the highest successful run chases in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
The victory also served as sweet revenge for the Caribbean side, who had lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2024 edition of the tournament.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 162/6 after recovering strongly in the latter stages of their innings. Maddy Green played a crucial late cameo, scoring an unbeaten 35 off 22 deliveries, while Brooke Halliday contributed 40 runs.
West Indies pace bowler Aaliyah Alleyne was instrumental with the ball, claiming career-best T20I figures of 4/27. She removed key batters including Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze and captain Amelia Kerr to keep New Zealand in check.
In reply, West Indies had an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out following a mix-up with captain Hayley Matthews. Matthews, despite battling calf discomfort, steadied the innings with 48 runs before eventually being dismissed after surviving multiple dropped catches.
New Zealand missed several opportunities in the field, dropping both Matthews and Campbelle at crucial moments — errors that proved costly as Campbelle took control of the chase with composed yet aggressive stroke play.
Her half-century came in style with a towering six over long-on before she accelerated further in the closing overs to guide West Indies across the finish line in dramatic fashion.
The successful chase is now recorded as the second-highest in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, giving West Indies a dream start to their campaign.
