HOVE, England, CMC – West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor turned in a match-winning performance to power Western Storm to the final of the Women’s Super League T20 tournament here yesterday.
Taylor’s team qualified for the final where they will face the Southern Vipers – who have Hayley Matthews in their line-up – later in the day.
Taylor, the world-leading all-rounder in this format, made 37 not out off 45 balls with two fours as the Storm scored 101 for seven off 18.5 overs to beat Surrey Stars by three wickets at the Sussex County Ground.
“With everyone being a bit nervous I tried to keep a steady head and anchor the innings,” Taylor said. “In the final we have to be positive and take everything from this win into the final.”
Set 101 to win, she played patiently and added a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 44 with Georgia Hennessy, who made 21 off 27 balls.
Taylor, who led the Windies to the ICC World T20 title last year, was the backbone of the innings after the Storm slipped to 17 for four in the fourth over.
She also added a crucial 24 for the sixth wicket with Anya Schubsole who made 12, including a six.
Earlier in the innings, Taylor finished with excellent figures of one for 17 runs off her four overs of off-spin to help restrict the strong Surrey batting order.