Cricket West Indies President Kishore Shallow on Tuesday paid a heartfelt tribute to the West Indies women after their semi-final exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, acknowledging a campaign that combined resilience, flair and the narrowest of margins.
Despite an 8-wicket defeat to Sophie Molineux’s Australia at Kennington Oval on 30 June, and the disappointment that follows any knockout loss, Shallow urged the region to recognise the bigger picture: a team that reached the last four for a second successive edition and fought with pride through a challenging Group B.
“While we are naturally disappointed not to have advanced to the final, there is every reason to hold our heads high,” Shallow said, echoing the tone of measured optimism that followed the defeat. “Reaching the semi-finals of a World Cup is a significant achievement; it confirms we remain among the elite and that the culture being built around West Indies women’s cricket is strong.” His words underlined both appreciation for the present squad and a commitment to the programme’s future.
Under Hayley Matthews’ captaincy, the West Indies began emphatically, winning their first three Group B fixtures, a seven-wicket chase of New Zealand at Southampton (13 June), a tight seven-run victory over Scotland at Leeds (18 June), and a disciplined five-wicket success against Sri Lanka at Bristol (21 June).
Those early wins put the side in command, with destiny in their own hands. But back-to-back losses at Lord’s to hosts England (24 June) and a shock six-wicket defeat to Ireland at Bristol tightened the path to the knockouts, denting net run rate and leaving the team reliant on England’s final-day result. When England dismissed Amelia Kerr’s New Zealand by nine wickets at Kennington Oval on 27 June, West Indies’ semi-final berth was confirmed.
Campbelle finished as the side’s leading run-scorer with 176 runs at a strike rate of 119.72 and an average of 35.20, her tournament highlight a career-best 90* off 62 balls to chase 163 against New Zealand, a match-winning knock that showcased her experience and calm under pressure. In the bowling ranks, Matthews led by example, finishing with 10 wickets at an average of 14.50 and an economy of 6.30, a reminder of her value as both captain and strike bowler.
The semi-final loss to Australia was a bitter pill given how close the campaign had felt after the early victories. This was the West Indies’ seventh semi-final appearance since 2010 and their second consecutive last-four finish after 2024. The high of 2016, when Stafanie Taylor’s side captured the nation’s only Women’s T20 World Cup title in Kolkata, can be evidence of what this region can achieve when preparation and belief align.
Shallow added, committing Cricket West Indies to sustained investment in the women’s programme so players can “compete consistently for global honours.” His statement reflected a clear intent that the administration will back talent development and the support structures needed to turn semi-final appearances into finals and trophies.
For a squad that mixed experienced campaigners and emerging performers, the tournament offered both validation and a roadmap. The West Indies leave England and Wales having reminded the cricketing world of their unpredictability and entertainment value, and with leadership and impressive performances from Campbelle’s runs to Matthews’ wickets that justify optimism.
As Shallow and the Caribbean community look ahead, the message is simple: applause for the present, work for the future, and belief that the next global stage will bring further glory.
(Quotes sourced from Cricket West Indies Press Release)
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