WI vs NZ : WI beat NZ by 13 runs and Qualify in Super 8.
The T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a nail-biting encounter between the WI vs NZ in Brian Lara Cricket Stadium on June 13th. This crucial Group C match determined who would advance to the coveted Super 8 stage
NZ Wins the Toss and Elects to Bowl First
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson surprised many by choosing to field first after winning the toss. Perhaps the pitch offered some early swing or bounce, a gamble that could potentially restrict the free-flowing West Indies batting
WI Batting:
The Windies batting order, however, faced early hiccups. Trent Boult, the Kiwi spearhead, ripped through the top order, leaving the West Indies reeling at a precarious 30 for 5 by the 7th over. The situation looked bleak for the home side.
But then came the hero of the match, Sherfane Rutherford. He played a blistering knock of 68 runs off just 39 balls, smashing 2 fours and a whopping 6 sixes. His innings injected much-needed momentum into the West Indies batting, forging crucial partnerships with Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, and Romario Shepherd. Thanks to Rutherford’s heroics, the Windies managed to post a respectable total of 149 runs on the board in their 20 overs.
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NZ Chasing – A Fading Hope
Chasing a target of 150, New Zealand started brightly with Glenn Philips and Finn Allen finding the boundary with ease. However, the West Indies bowlers, especially Aizarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie, applied the brakes on the scoring rate. Aizarri Joseph 4 and Motie’s 3 crucial wickets in the middle overs put immense pressure on the New Zealand batsmen.
Glenn Phillips tried his best to revive the chase with a 40-run knock, but the lack of partnerships and consistent wickets at regular intervals proved too much to overcome. Despite a late flurry from Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps fell short by 13 runs, ending their innings at 136 for 9.
Man of the Match
For his match-winning knock that single-handedly revived the Windies innings, Sherfane Rutherford was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match. His fearless batting under pressure provided the foundation for the West Indies’ victory.
WI vs NZ Conclusion:
This win is a huge boost for the West Indies, propelling them into the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Their fighting spirit and ability to adapt to a challenging situation were on full display. For New Zealand, this loss is a significant setback, leaving their qualification chances hanging by a thread. The Black Caps will need a miracle and some favorable results in other matches to progress further.