ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten half-century coupled with a memorable bowling performance from the West Indies bowlers led them to a 13-run win over perennial contender New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup last evening.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Rovman Powell and his West Indies batters contrived to put together their worst batting performance in recent memory inside the first 7 overs, finding themselves at 32/5.
Johnson Charles looked at sea against Trent Boult in the opening over and chopped the last ball of the over on to his stumps for a duck to open the cracks in the West Indian innings. By the time the powerplay had finished, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, and Brandon King had all departed.
Despite that quandary, Sherfane Rutherford and Akeal Hosein dragged things back and steadied the ship, taking their side to 58 before Hosein was dismissed for 15 at the end of the 11th over.
Rutherford and Romario Shepherd then combined for an invaluable seventh-wicket partnership of 27. However, when Shepherd was trapped LBW for a run-a-ball 13, the West Indies looked in danger of being bowled out at 103/8 in the 17th over. Alzarri Joseph joined Rutherford but would not stay long, departing at the end of the 18th.
Rutherford then took on Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner in the last two overs, plundering 37 runs and bringing up his maiden T20 World Cup half century in the process to push the West Indies to 149/9, a winning total in the end. Rutherford ended unbeaten on 68 from 39 balls, highlighted by two fours and six sixes. Needing 150 to win, New Zealand were not allowed to settle with Akeal Hosein, accounting for the out-of-form Devon Conway in the third over to start proceedings. Alzarri Joseph would then take out Finn Allen (26 from 23 balls) in the sixth over. Allen, who had looked threatening, was dropped earlier in the over by Rutherford.
New Zealand, who finished the powerplay on 36/2, by no means looked out of it until Gudakesh Motie entered the picture, accounting for the Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson (1), Rachin Ravindra (10), and Daryl Mitchell (12), the latter bowled by a beauty of a delivery. The aforesaid three wickets, which fell across four consecutive overs from Motie, crippled the New Zealand chase and set the tone for what would end up being a commanding bowling performance from the hosts.
While Glen Phillips threatened briefly with a well-played 40, Alzarri Joseph managed to dismiss Jimmy Neesham (10), then Phillips and Southee in successive deliveries to put the Windies in charge, leaving New Zealand in dire straits on 108/8 in the 18th over.
From there, it was just a matter of formality as Russell removed Trent Boult, out caught at the end of the 19th. However, Santner would cart Shepherd for three sixes to take 19 from the final over, briefly threatening the improbable feat of getting 33 runs from the over for the win. Despite being taken for three sixes, Shepherd would hold his nerve, and the West Indies would get a memorable 13-run win, sealing their spot in the Super 8 stage with a game to spare.
Joseph finished with figures of 4/19 (4 overs), while Motie had 3/25 (4 overs). Russell and Hosein snared one wicket apiece. For his match-winning knock, Rutherford was adjudged man of the match. The West Indies next assignment will be against Afghanistan on June 17.
