Despite losing to New Zealand by eight runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the West Indies’ hopes of making it to the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup final were dashed, but head coach Shane Deitz commended his team for giving it their all.

After losing to South Africa by ten wickets in the first match of the campaign, the West Indies stormed back to win Group B with an outstanding chase of England. While punching above their weight to get to the semi-finals, they also had to cope with injuries sustained by Zaida James, Deandra Dottin, and Stafanie Taylor.

“The last few days have been rather emotional, I suppose because of our fantastic victory against England. We attempted to get our emotions back into balance and prepare to play again, which I believe we accomplished. However, it seems to me that the females have a strong desire to represent the West Indies in cricket. And they constantly risk both their physical well-being and their passion. Thus, they will experience certain emotions,” Deitz said after the game.

Deitz said of Stafanie’s decision to play in the semifinal despite her right knee injury: “She was fighting soreness and pain, and she was just fighting to get through it all the time.” The fact that she could visit today was incredible.”

“It’s likely that her appearance improved during the last several weeks. She has true mind over body. Despite giving it her all, she was definitely unable to cross the line. However, she gave the squad her best, and for that we all appreciate and thank her.”

Deitz concluded by stating that the West Indies would be motivated by their success in the UAE semifinals and will strive to win the next T20 World Cup in England in 2026.

“We’ve been working on and developing a West Indies way of play that has been successful in men’s and women’s cricket for a long time. Over the last 12 months, we’ve been working towards how we’re going to match the best teams in the world. We had to design a way or work out a way of cricket that’s going to suit West Indies cricket and how we can play with our style of play.”

“Our goal is to return to the essence of entertaining cricket by supporting ourselves and attempting to win games, rather than relying on the poor performance of the opposition. We want to give it our best shot, take the initiative, and overwhelm teams. We are therefore in the process. As I say, it’s just been a year, but we’ve come a long way. We’ll be prepared to take on the globe once again in 2026, when the T20 Globe Cup takes place.”