BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — An irrepressible West Indies side strode gallantly into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Twenty20 Championship when they pulled off a dramatic last-over win over England yesterday to send the title-holders crashing from the tournament.

After posting a disappointing 122 for eight from their 20 overs, they produced a sterling bowling effort to amazingly restrict a strong English batting unit to 120 for nine, to snatch an exciting two-run victory at Warner Park.

The hosts were led by a superb spell from off-spinner Anisa Mohammed who grabbed two for nine in four stingy overs, while 17-year-old medium pacer Shemaine Campbelle supported with a brilliant four-over spell of two for 15.

With the pendulum swinging back and forth during the close contest, the game came down to the last over with England needing 15 runs to avoid elimination from the tournament they won last year before their home crowd.

Lydia Greenway, who finished unbeaten on 26 from 28 balls, blasted the first ball from off-spinner Jamaican Stafanie Taylor straight back overhead for six to raise England’s hopes of a win.

She punched the second ball to cover for two and took a single from the third ball to leave her side needing six from the last three deliveries.