West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has described the frightening moment Deandra Dottin collapsed on the field before the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, while praising the all-rounder for coming back to bat.
Dottin went down during the national anthems and was carried off by team-mates to the ground’s medical room. The precise cause has not been made public, but reports said she was kept under observation for around 30 minutes and left the room in a wheelchair.
Matthews on a difficult moment
Speaking after the game, Matthews said the sight of Dottin nearly passing out was alarming for everyone, given how important she is to the side. She added that Dottin’s ability to return and play said a lot about her character. At the post-match press conference she confirmed only that Dottin had suffered a medical emergency, and said the squad had to put the worry aside and concentrate on the match.
Dottin’s response with the bat
Dottin was back in the dugout by the 14th over and walked out at No. 8 in the 16th. She made a quick 26 from 16 balls, including three boundaries, as West Indies recovered from a middle-order slump to reach 125/7.
Australia cruise into the final
The total was not enough. Chasing 126, Australia got there with seven overs to spare and won by seven wickets. Beth Mooney made an unbeaten 61 from 36 balls, and Ashleigh Gardner stayed not out on 35 from 20.
The result sends Australia into the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup, where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final between England and South Africa.
