Sophie Devine feels 'privileged' to play T20 World Cup final after West Indies win

Sophie Devine felt privileged to have got the chance to play in the final of Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

In Short

• New Zealand beat West Indies by 8 runs in semi-final
• The White Ferns reached final of the Women's T20 World Cup after 2010
• New Zealand set to face South Africa in the final

The New Zealand camp was ecstatic after their thrilling win in the semi-final of Women's t20 World Cup 2024 against West Indies. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine called it a privilege to have got a chance to feature in the final of the tournament. Devine admitted that the feeling didn't sink in at that time as the White Ferns qualified for the final of the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time since 2010. New Zealand beat West Indies by 8 runs to set up a final clash with South Africa on October 20.

"Hasn't sunk in at all yet. Still trying to get my brain back from being fried out there. Really 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.

NZ book final berth

WI vs NZ: As it happened

Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed 128/9, with Deandra Dottin shining for the Windies, by claiming 4/22. Chasing, West Indies struggled at 55/4 after Eden Carson and Lea Tahuhu picked up key wickets. Dottin kept them in the hunt with three sixes off Tahuhu, but her dismissal for 33 off 22 by Amelia Kerr proved pivotal.

With 11 needed off the final five balls, Suzie Bates, bowling her first over of the tournament, castled Zaida James to seal the win.

"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."

New Zealand lost 10 T20I matches on trot in the lead-up to the tournament. Devine was proud of her team for showcasing an immense 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."