Sloppy England stunned by Windies to exit T20 World Cup
Women's T20 World Cup, Dubai
England 141-7 (20 overs): Sciver-Brunt 57* (50); Fletcher 3-21
West Indies 142-4 (18 overs): Joseph 52 (38), Matthews 50 (38)
West Indies won by six wickets
England were knocked out of the Women's T20 World Cup at the end of the group stage after a sloppy all-round performance against West Indies in Dubai.
They dropped five catches - all off opener Qiana Joseph - as West Indies produced a stunning run chase of 142 to reach the semi-finals at England's expense.
Joseph was first dropped on six and then 31 and 35 before departing for a crucial 52 from 38 balls, while captain Hayley Matthews also added a half-century in an opening stand of 102.
The pair blasted 67-0 off the powerplay as England wilted under pressure, reminiscent of their semi-final defeat by South Africa in the 2023 tournament.
Sophia Dunkley missed the first chance to dismiss Joseph on the square-leg boundary, before Alice Capsey dropped a simple chance at cover and Maia Bouchier proceeded to put down three opportunities.
Both Joseph and Matthews departed inside two overs to give England hope, but Deandra Dottin's cameo of 27 from 19 balls swung momentum back in West Indies' favour.
England's 141-7 looked competitive at the halfway stage, with Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 57 from 50 providing the backbone.
But England were dealt a cruel blow when captain Heather Knight retired hurt with a tight calf on 21, and her absence was sorely felt in the field as the side could not cope with West Indies' aggression.
It is West Indies' first T20 win over England since 2018, and the first time England have failed to make it out of the group stage of the tournament since 2010.
The semi-finals will take place between South Africa and defending champions Australia on Thursday, followed by West Indies v New Zealand on Friday.
Sciver-Brunt's rescue act in vain
Coming into the game, England were full of confidence after three comfortable wins over Bangladesh, South Africa and Scotland, knowing that a win by any margin would be enough to see them through.
But, the tournament's format is unforgiving and one slip can cost you - they may have only lost one game, but so had their opponents, and they were not ruthless enough.
The pressure of a must-win game seemed to strike early with a stuttering powerplay of 34-2, with both Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey falling early.
Wyatt-Hodge fell for 16, while Capsey was horrendously run out after a dreadful call from Bouchier, who was then dismissed by spinner Afy Fletcher the first ball after the powerplay.
But Knight and Sciver-Brunt leant on all their experience to steady England with careful strike rotation and simple punishment of the bad balls, with West Indies too regularly offering width for them to punish.
The turning point came in the 13th over when the pair set off for a comfortable single but Knight pulled up hobbling, eventually having to be helped off the field just as the partnership was turning dangerous on 46 from six overs.
From there, England folded with only Sciver-Brunt holding them together. Amy Jones fell softly for seven by chipping a catch to point, Charlie Dean was unusually promoted to six and was dreadfully dropped first ball before departing for a skittish five while both Danielle Gibson and Sophie Ecclestone went for seven.
Sciver-Brunt displayed her usual calm characteristics and her impressive fitness levels to keep getting back on strike. She then had to take over the captaincy duties in the field, where things continued to unravel.
Matthews and Joseph punish England
While England undoubtedly did not respond well to pressure, credit must go to West Indies for applying it so well.
Without veteran batter Stafanie Taylor because of injury, there was even more pressure placed on superstar Matthews' shoulders, where West Indies' hopes usually rely so heavily.
Enter Joseph, who chose the perfect occasion to score her first international half-century with plenty of help from England along the way.
It was not an innings that oozed class like Matthews', but it was effective. There was minimal footwork, but plenty of power, and the streaky edges that flew over fielders' heads were juxtaposed by brutal blows over the ropes in between.
The 23-year-old left-hander expertly targeted England's spinners, and it was canny work from West Indies' management because the messaging was very clear: even if Joseph fell early, she was not going to waste balls by doing it, and she was evidently boosted by the freedom that she was allowed.
The knock-on effect was priceless, because it took all that weight off Matthews and allowed her to craft her own innings at her own pace, resulting in a typically classy 37-ball half-century.
Given their lack of batting depth, the pair's departure did open up the possibility of a remarkable England fightback but all-rounder Dottin wound back the years with two fours and two sixes to break the back of a run-a-ball chase in the end.
West Indies thoroughly deserved their victory, outplaying England and punishing their endless mistakes with a dominant performance that so few predicted, and will be hoping for a second World Cup final after their historic triumph in 2016.
'We lacked a bit of composure' - what they said
England captain Heather Knight, talking to BBC Test Match Special: "Watching from the sidelines wasn’t particularly fun. Credit to West Indies, the way they came at us and really took the game on was proper.
"We made a few mistakes, a few catches went down and they’re the sorts of moments that are really key. It's the sort of competition where one slip-up and you're out.
"There’s some girls hurting in that dressing room, and it’s a tough one to take. We lacked a little bit of composure in those key moments."
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews: "Incredibly proud of the group. We were up against all odds today, and the way we came out with the ball and then to put on a performance like that with the bat - what a time to do it.
"We haven't won the World Cup yet. It's going to be a big game against New Zealand, but we're up for the challenge. Everyone in the group knows their role, and we just want to have the plans to execute that as best as possible.
"I feel like we're peaking at the right time. Hopefully we can see something even better in the semis."
