An attacking strategy executed perfectly – How West Indies stunned England

Match Centre and Scorecard

Hayley Matthews’ West Indies side have a blueprint, and they produced a near-perfect example of it at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

In the field it’s about intensity and pressure, allowing Matthews and her fellow spinners to control opposition scoring rates, while getting the team’s best fielders into the most impactful positions on the field.

And with the bat West Indies have clearly defined roles, with some previously-unlikely players having been promoted up the order as de-facto pinch hitters, allowing Matthews to play her natural game and dropping the powerful Deandra Dottin down to more of a finisher role.

It’s a brave plan, an aggressive one, but it worked in some style against England, sealing a famous win to take a top-two spot in Group B.

Matthews (50 from 38) was central to the win, inspiring a phenomenal start in the powerplay and putting on a fiery century-stand with opening partner Qiana Joseph (52 from 38), who scored her first T20I fifty at the perfect time.

“I don't think many people had us (as semi-finalists), I’m incredibly proud of the group,” a jubilant Matthews said after the game.

“We were up against the odds tonight, but to put up a performance like that with the bat, Joseph scoring her first T20I fifty - what a time to do that!”

With the winning post in sight, West Indies slowed up slightly to ensure that they got over the line. But Matthews says that the display from her team was a clear example that they will always be confident of their ability in a run chase.

“We back ourselves to knock off whatever runs are put on the board,” she said

“Everyone knows their roles, what they want to do, and on the day we want to execute.

“I feel we are peaking at the right time, and hopefully we can see something even better in the semi-final.”

WATCH: The winning moment as West Indies progress

New Zealand await in Friday’s second semi-final in Sharjah, with Matthews keen that her side refocus during the coming days.

“It’s important to take tomorrow off but to then get right back to it. We have not won the World Cup yet.

“It will be a big game against New Zealand and we are up for the challenge.”

England, ranked second in the world, looked distraught in the face of the West Indies’ demolition job.

Captain Heather Knight had not been able to field due to a calf injury, but fronted up to the media following the game, giving credit to Matthews and her side for such a phenomenal display.

“Credit to them, they came at us hard, played the conditions well and put us under the pump,” the England skipper said.

“It’s tough to take, but credit to Hayley and her team.

“We bowled too short and they played it well. That partnership was top-quality and put us under the pump.”

Fans can purchase tickets for the knockout matches online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.

Semi-final schedule:

First semi-final: 17 October (6:00pm local) - Australia v South Africa, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Second semi-final: 18 October (6:00pm local) - West Indies v New Zealand, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah