West Indies have done most of the work already. They opened with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand, followed with a tense seven-run victory over Scotland and added a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka, before a heavy 54-run loss to England at Lord’s interrupted the run. Hayley Matthews’ side now want to finish the group stage well and secure a semi-final place.
Shemaine Campbelle has been the leading batter, with 150 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 127.11, and Chinelle Henry hit an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls against England after West Indies had slipped to 69/4. Only those two have reached fifty so far, though, and the middle order has struggled under pressure. Aaliyah Alleyne has eight wickets at an average of 10, Matthews has eight at 12.12 and just 6.06 an over, and Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack complete the spin group.
Ireland are winless and bottom of the table after a nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, even though they had reached 130/5. Gaby Lewis has 128 runs at an average of 32 with two fifties, and Orla Prendergast has 118 runs plus five wickets at an economy of 5.81. Aimee Maguire has four wickets, with Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray taking two each. No Irish batter other than Lewis and Prendergast has made a fifty.
Ireland’s fielding has been sharp, but a lack of batting depth is a concern. Our preview picks West Indies.
