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On Friday, October 4, in the Group B clash of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa, West Indies pacer Zaida James suffered an unfortunate injury to her face before being forced off the field at the Dubai International Stadium. On the first ball of her new spell, Zaida James bowled a fuller length delivery, which South African captain Laura Wolvaardt smashed towards her, but the West Indies pacer wasn’t able to get out of the line of the ball before it hit her on the side of the jaw, causing immense swelling within minutes.
Following the arrival of the West Indies medical team to the field, Zaida James was given urgent treatment before they took her off for further check-ups as the swelling on the left side of her face was completely visible from afar. With the pacer going off the field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, her over was completed by Qiana Joseph, who conceded six runs in five balls to Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits during their pursuit of the 119-run target.
Watch the clip of Zaida James's unfortunate injury during Women's T20 World Cup 2024:
West Indies are trying to defend 118-run total against highly fancied South African batting line-up
In their batting innings, West Indies could only post 118/6 total in their allotted overs, mainly due to the experienced Stafanie Taylor’s unbeaten innings of 44 runs in 41 balls as the rest of her teammates failed to cross the 20-run mark. For South Africa, the six wickets were shared between Marizanne Kapp and Nonkululeko Mlaba, who picked up two and four respectively while most of their teammates bowled economical spells.
South Africa, who are yet to win the Women’s T20 World Cup in their history, will be looking to start their 2024 campaign on a winning note after losing to Australia in the final in the previous edition at home nearly two years ago. As of this writing, in their opening match in Group B against West Indies, the South African batters have gotten off to a perfect start with their opening pair of captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits going past 50-run stand inside the first eight overs.
