Oz women enter World T20 finals following semi-final win over Windies

The Australian women's cricket team has entered the finals of the women's World Twenty20 tournament after claiming an intense semi-final victory over West Indies in Dhaka on Thursday.

The Southern Stars won by eight runs with an opening total of 140 against Merissa Aguilleira's side, who has fallen to Australia for the third time in many years in a knockout match, having lost to them in the 2012 tournament's semi-finals and the 2013 World Cup decider.

According to News.com.au, although West Indian Deandra Dottin led a late charge with 40 runs, along with a 73-run partnership with Stacy-Ann King, however, the Stars managed to defend their title for this time when 'Player of the Match' Erin Osborne caught Dottin on the fence in the penultimate over.

Elyse Villani got Australia off to a powerful start, hitting seven fours on her way to a top-score of 3, while the report mentioned that a steady 29 runs from captain Meg Lanning helped push the total along before Alyssa Healy hit an unbeaten quick-fire 30.

Australia will next face either England or South Africa, who play in the second semi-final on Friday, the report added.