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West Indies secured a berth in the Super Eights of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 following their triumph over New Zealand by a margin of 13 runs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Thursday.
After setting a target of 150 runs in the first innings, West Indies clinched a spot in the Super Eights of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating New Zealand by 13 runs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Thursday. Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph spearheaded the Caribbean bowling lineup, thwarting the Kiwis’ attempts to chase down the target.
Devon Conway and Finn Allen launched the Kiwis’ batting but struggled to provide a formidable start. Their opening stand yielded only 20 runs before Akeal Hosein struck, dismissing Conway in the third over. Finn Allen showed promise as the top scorer early on, but Alzarri Joseph claimed his wicket in the sixth over.
During the powerplay, the West Indies exhibited an impressive performance, restricting New Zealand to just 36 runs while securing two crucial wickets. Shortly after the powerplay concluded, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson fell victim to Gudakesh Motie’s bowling, further denting New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and James Neesham also struggled against the Caribbean bowling onslaught. Despite Glenn Phillips’ efforts to stabilize the Kiwi innings, he fell to Alzarri Joseph in the 18th over, followed by Tim Southee’s dismissal for a golden duck in the same over.
Andre Russell claimed the ninth wicket by removing Trent Boult in the 19th over. Entering the final over, New Zealand needed 33 runs from 6 balls. Mitchell Santner launched a valiant attempt by smashing two consecutive sixes, aiming to turn the tide. However, dot balls from Shepherd thwarted New Zealand’s hopes of victory.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson remained unbeaten at the crease till the last over, but it wasn’t enough as West Indies secured a 13-run victory over New Zealand.
Joseph was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four wickets while conceding only 19 runs in his four-over spell. Motie also made significant contributions, taking three wickets for 25 runs. Akeal Hosein and Andre Russell chipped in with one wicket each during their respective spells.
Looking back at the first innings, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl. Initially, they had the West Indies struggling at 30/5, but Rutherford’s performance helped the Caribbean team stage a strong recovery.
The West Indies’ batting started poorly as they lost Johnson Charles for a duck in the very first over, bowled clean by Trent Boult, leaving them at 1/1. Nicholas Pooran partnered opener Brandon King and played some impressive shots against Boult and Tim Southee. However, his innings was short-lived as Southee dismissed him caught behind by Devon Conway for just 17 runs off 12 balls, including three boundaries. This dismissal left the West Indies at 20/2 in 3.5 overs.
The dismissal of Roston Chase followed, with pacer Lockie Ferguson claiming his wicket for a duck. Rachin Ravindra executed a fine catch while sprinting from mid-on, leaving the West Indies at 21/3 in 4.3 overs.
Kiwi pacers continued their dominance as skipper Rovman Powell fell victim to Tim Southee for just one run, caught behind by Conway. This setback left the West Indies struggling at 22/4 in 5.4 overs.
At the end of six overs, the West Indies were at 23/4, with Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford at the crease, both unbeaten.
James Neesham, the all-rounder, made an impact for the Kiwis, dismissing King for just nine runs off 12 balls, halting the Windies’ progress at 30/5 in 6.3 overs.
Rutherford found a partner in Akael Hosein, and together, they constructed a decent partnership. By the halfway mark, the West Indies reached 49/5, with Hosein and Rutherford still standing strong.
Rutherford’s powerful six towards deep square region propelled the West Indies past the 50-run milestone in 10.1 overs.
The promising partnership of 28 runs between Hosein and Rutherford was broken when Hosein was caught by Neesham at deep mid-wicket off Santner’s bowling, departing for 15 runs off 17 balls, inclusive of a boundary and a maximum. At this juncture, the West Indies stood at 58/6 after 11 overs.
Andre Russell entered the crease and attempted to mount a counter-attack, striking Ferguson for two fours and a six. However, his aggressive stint was cut short by Boult, who claimed his wicket for 14 runs off seven deliveries, with Ferguson completing the catch at short third man. The West Indies found themselves at 76/7 in 12.3 overs.
Romario Shepherd partnered with Rutherford, who remained firm at the crease. The West Indies crossed the 100-run mark in 15.4 overs, with Rutherford launching Neesham for a six over backward square leg.
