WEST Indies and two-times finalist New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s World Twenty20 after each recorded victories on the final day of Group B matches in Galle yesterday.

A strong all-round performance by Stafanie Taylor cemented a West Indies victory over South Africa by 10 wickets, while New Zealand defeated host Sri Lanka by eight wickets, with 26 balls remaining.
West Indies finished on top of the table with New Zealand second. Their opponents in the semi-finals in Colombo will be confirmed after today’s match between defending champion Australia and former winner England.
In the first match of the day, South Africa struggled to find its rhythm after being sent in to bat first.  West Indies’ strategy of stifling South Africa with spin proved to be the right one on the day. Taylor’s triple strike in her first two overs left South Africa reeling at 11 for five in the eighth over.
Coming in at number seven, Dane van Niekerk steadied the ship and notched 29, while Shabnim Ismail put together a careful 16, to help the team to reach a total of 70 from its 20 overs.
Taylor was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 10 in four overs, while Shaquana Quintyne took two wickets.
In reply, Taylor was at the forefront of the run chase with a fierce 33 not out. Juliana Nero was unbeaten on 30 and the two chased down a modest 71 in 9.4 overs to win by 10 wickets.
“Last night, we analysed each of their players,” said West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira afterwards, adding: “We had specific plans in place. We played a couple of warm-ups, so we had an idea of what to expect against them.”
In the final group B match, Sri Lanka looked on target to post a formidable total in the first few overs when they reached 37 for one in the sixth over before they lost its last nine wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 89 in 17.4 overs.
The bowling honours were shared equally by Sian Ruck, Erin Bermingham and Morna Nielsen, who picked up two wickets apiece.
In response, New Zealand chased down the target in 15.4 overs. Despite losing Suzie Bates for 16, the in-form Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite made full use of the field restrictions to plunder 42 off the first six overs.
Devine was run out for 23, but Satterthwaite finished not out on 32, with three boundaries. Frances Mackay was unbeaten on 13 when victory was sealed.
At GICS, West Indies beat South Africa by 10 wickets (with 62 balls remaining)
South Africa 70 for eight, 20 overs (Dane van Niekerk 29, Shabnim Ismail 16; Stafanie Taylor 3-10, Shaquana Quintyne 2-14)
West Indies 71 for no loss, 9.4 overs (Stafanie Taylor 33, Juliana Nero 30)
Player of the Match – Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
At GICS, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets (with 26 balls remaining)
Sri Lanka 89 all out, 17.4 overs (Shashikala Siriwardena 14, Inoka Galagedara 14; Morna Nielsen 2-10)
New Zealand 90 for two, 15.4 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 32 not out, Sophie Devine 23; Chamani Senevirathne 1-27)
Player of the Match – Sara McGlashan (New Zealand)
Monday’s fixtures
India v Pakistan (Group A), 0930-1230
Australia v England (Group A), 1330-1630.(Eurosport)