New Zealand holds nerve to beat West Indies by 8 runs and reach Women’s T20 World Cup final

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Suzie Bates held her nerve in the final over as New Zealand advanced to the Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time in 14 years with an eight-run victory over West Indies on Friday.

Bates (1-6) bowled her only over with West Indies needing 15 more runs to win the semifinal match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The right-arm medium conceded a four off the first delivery before taking a wicket and conceding only two runs in the rest of the over.

Eden Carson took 3-29, while Amelia Kerr picked up 2-14 in four overs, as New Zealand restricted West Indies' chase to 120-8 in 20 overs. This was after 2016 champion West Indies had bowled well enough to restrain New Zealand to a competitive 128-9 after the White Ferns chose to bat first.

New Zealand is twice runners-up in this tournament – 2009 and 2010.

It will now take on South Africa in Sunday's final at Dubai, where a first-time champion will be crowned.

South Africa stunned defending champion Australia in the first semifinal on Thursday, winning by eight wickets to reach its second straight final.

Earlier, Bates had led a fine opening charge with 26 runs off 28 balls, and put on 48 off 50 with Georgia Plimmer.

Plimmer top scored for New Zealand with a 31-ball 33, including her team's only six and three fours. After Bates’ dismissal in the ninth over, Plimmer held the innings together as New Zealand lost Amelia Kerr (7) and skipper Sophie Devine (12) cheaply.

West Indies' Deandra Dottin produced an all-round performance on the night, starting with 4-22 in four overs. She had sent back Kerr, and then claimed another three wickets through the lower-middle order.

Dottin had support from Afy Fletcher, who took 2-23, as the duo squeezed runs late into the New Zealand innings.

Brooke Halliday scored 18 off nine balls, while Isabella Gaze’s 20 not out off 14 balls helped her team reach a defendable total.

In reply, West Indies looked for a quick start but it didn’t happen as Carson bowled Qiana Joseph for 12. Lea Tahuhu proved expensive overall (1-33 in three overs), but picked up the vital early wicket of skipper Hayley Matthews (15).

Off-spinner Carson didn’t allow West Indies’ big hitters to get going. Shemaine Campbelle was out caught for three, while Carson bowled Stefanie Taylor for 13.

West Indies was staring down the barrel at 63-5 in the 14th over, when Dottin smacked 33 off 22, including three sixes, to deflate the opposition.

“When Dottin was pumping us, we believed and stuck it out to get over the line,” said Carson, who was named player of the match. “We had to defend a below par total and get those early wickets because West Indies is a dangerous side.”

It was Kerr who provided the turning point – Dottin holed out in the 17th over, as New Zealand squeezed the chase.

After a nervous start to the last over, Bates dismissed Zaida James off the third ball.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Molly Penfold drops a catch from West Indies' Zaida James during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' captain Hayley Matthews plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Deandra Dottin plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Fran Jonas celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss West Indies' Deandra Dottin during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Fran Jonas, left, celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' Chedean Nationduring the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Afy Fletcher, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Deandra Dottin bowls a delivery during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Suzie Bates plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Chinelle Henry bowls a delivery during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Shemaine Campbelle chases a ball during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Zaida James unsuccessfully attempts to field a ball during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Suzie Bates reacts after getting bowled out during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

West Indies' Deandra Dottin, center, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's Maddy Green during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Georgia Plimmer plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's Eden Carson, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of West Indies' Stafanie Taylor during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match between New Zealand and West Indies at Sharjah Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's players celebrate after wining against West Indies' during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

New Zealand's players celebrate after wining against West Indies' during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government's road safety agency is investigating Tesla's “Full Self-Driving” system after getting reports of crashes in low-visibility conditions, including one that killed a pedestrian.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents that it opened the probe on Thursday after the company reported four crashes when Teslas encountered sun glare, fog and airborne dust.

In addition to the pedestrian's death, another crash involved an injury, the agency said.

Investigators will look into the ability of “Full Self-Driving” to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes.”

The investigation covers roughly 2.4 million Teslas from the 2016 through 2024 model years.

A message was left early Friday seeking comment from Tesla, which has repeatedly said the system cannot drive itself and human drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.

Last week Tesla held an event at a Hollywood studio to unveil a fully autonomous robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Musk, who has promised autonomous vehicles before, said the company plans to have autonomous Models Y and 3 running without human drivers next year. Robotaxis without steering wheels would be available in 2026 starting in California and Texas, he said.

The investigation's impact on Tesla's self-driving ambitions isn't clear. NHTSA would have to approve any robotaxi without pedals or a steering wheel, and it's unlikely that would happen while the investigation is in progress. But if the company tries to deploy autonomous vehicles in its existing models, that likely would fall to state regulations. There are no federal regulations specifically focused on autonomous vehicles, although they must meet broader safety rules.

NHTSA also said it would look into whether any other similar crashes involving “Full Self-Driving” have happened in low visibility conditions, and it will seek information from the company on whether any updates affected the system’s performance in those conditions.

“In particular, this review will assess the timing, purpose and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Telsa’s assessment of their safety impact,” the documents said.

Tesla reported the four crashes to NHTSA under an order from the agency covering all automakers. An agency database says the pedestrian was killed in Rimrock, Arizona, in November of 2023 after being hit by a 2021 Tesla Model Y. Rimrock is about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of Phoenix.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement that the crash happened just after 5 p.m. Nov. 27 on Interstate 17. Two vehicles collided on the freeway, blocking the left lane. A Toyota 4Runner stopped, and two people got out to help with traffic control. A red Tesla Model Y then hit the 4Runner and one of the people who exited from it. A 71-year-old woman from Mesa, Arizona was pronounced dead at the scene. Further details weren't immediately available.

Tesla has twice recalled “Full Self-Driving” under pressure from NHTSA, which in July sought information from law enforcement and the company after a Tesla using the system struck and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle.

The recalls were issued because the system was programmed to run stop signs at slow speeds and because the system disobeyed other traffic laws. Both problems were to be fixed with online software updates.

Critics have said that Tesla’s system, which uses only cameras to spot hazards, doesn’t have proper sensors to be fully self driving. Nearly all other companies working on autonomous vehicles use radar and laser sensors in addition to cameras to see better in the dark or poor visibility conditions.

Musk has said that humans drive with only eyesight, so cars should be able to drive with just cameras. He has called lidar (light detection and ranging), which uses lasers to detect objects, a “fool's errand.”

The “Full Self-Driving” recalls arrived after a three-year investigation into Tesla's less-sophisticated Autopilot system crashing into emergency and other vehicles parked on highways, many with warning lights flashing.

That investigation was closed last April after the agency pressured Tesla into recalling its vehicles to bolster a weak system that made sure drivers are paying attention. A few weeks after the recall, NHTSA began investigating whether the recall was working.

NHTSA began its Autopilot crash investigation in 2021, after receiving 11 reports that Teslas that were using Autopilot struck parked emergency vehicles. In documents explaining why the investigation was ended, NHTSA said it ultimately found 467 crashes involving Autopilot resulting in 54 injuries and 14 deaths. Autopilot is a fancy version of cruise control, while “Full Self-Driving” has been billed by Musk as capable of driving without human intervention.

The investigation that was opened Thursday enters new territory for NHTSA, which previously had viewed Tesla's systems as assisting drivers rather than driving themselves. With the new probe, the agency is focusing on the capabilities of “Full Self-Driving" rather than simply making sure drivers are paying attention.

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said the previous investigation of Autopilot didn't look at why the Teslas weren't seeing and stopping for emergency vehicles.

“Before they were kind of putting the onus on the driver rather than the car,” he said. “Here they're saying these systems are not capable of appropriately detecting safety hazards whether the drivers are paying attention or not.”

US to probe Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' system after pedestrian killed in low visibility conditions

The logo of Tesla car is pictured at the Paris Auto Show, in Paris, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

US to probe Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' system after pedestrian killed in low visibility conditions