West Indies, co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, emerged victorious against New Zealand by a narrow margin of 13 runs in a riveting clash at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba on Wednesday, June 12.
Sherfane Rutherford guides West Indies to a competitive total
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, West Indies got off to a shaky start, losing their top order cheaply. However, a stellar performance from Sherfane Rutherford (68 not out off 39) revived the innings. He smashed 6 mighty sixes and 2 fours, single-handedly propelling the Windies to a respectable total of 149/9 in their 20 overs.
Trent Boult led the Kiwi bowling attack with three wickets for 16 runs.
New Zealand falters in chase despite Glenn Phillips’ heroics
Chasing a modest target, New Zealand struggled to find momentum from the start. Their top order crumbled, with only Finn Allen (26 off 23) and Glenn Phillips (40 off 23) showing some resistance. Phillips, with 3 fours and 2 sixes, tried his best to revive the chase, but the West Indies bowling attack proved too strong. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the Blackcaps eventually fell short by 13 runs, finishing at 136/9.
The West Indian bowling attack shared the spoils effectively. Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four crucial wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs. Gudakesh Motie also impressed, bagging three wickets for 25 runs.
Player of the Match
For his match-winning knock, Sherfane Rutherford was named the Player of the Match. His power-hitting display proved to be the backbone of the West Indies’ victory.
With this win, West Indies have secured a Super 8 qualification, while New Zealand are all but of the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
FIGHT! FIGHT! THEN FIGHT SOME MORE!😤
WI WIN!💪🏾 #WIREADY #T20WorldCup #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/g11b4m7u3j
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 13, 2024
WEST INDIES QUALIFIED INTO THE SUPER 8…!!!! 🏆
– The Comeback of T20 Giants. pic.twitter.com/EW1mrWt4TB
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 13, 2024
Feeling sad for New Zealand.
NZ are out of cricket worldcup 2024 virtually #T20worldcup #WIvNZ #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/HaHzH3uSXQ
— Devendra 🇮🇳 (@Devendra786s) June 13, 2024
New Zealand are all but out of the 2024 T20 World Cup. 🏆
– A heartbreaking tournament for Kane Williamson and his boys. pic.twitter.com/J1XFDLvtqr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 13, 2024
WI defeated New Zealand in the group C. With this defeat NZ is out from the WC. #WIvNZ #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/r1B8uVaDYS
— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) June 13, 2024
Sherfane Rutherford guides West Indies to a fighting total
Scorecard: https://t.co/y4nWCgzVEg#WIvNZ #T20WorldCup #cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/FwLkeURwWB
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 13, 2024
Wicket needed ➡ Call Motie! 🤌 pic.twitter.com/nI55I69vgp
— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) June 13, 2024
New Zealand Out Of #T20worldcup #WIvNZ #WIvsNZ pic.twitter.com/sHFHwqHODq
— Yorker Cricket (@piyushson17) June 13, 2024
Two minutes of silence for those who thought easy Win for NZ and skipped match………….🤭🤭🤭#WIvNZ
WEST INDIES ARE BACK!!💪🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/gkUXfxgkTE
— Prabisha Panta (@prabisha_) June 13, 2024
New Zealand and Williamson team is struggling big time against West Indies. Don’t think so that they can qualify for Super 8.#WIvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/CYndBYvZeE
— K H A N (@Khaannnn56) June 13, 2024
Alzari Joseph got a BIG WICKET of FINN ALLEN! #WIvNZ #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/6GFhuwYZOC
— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) June 13, 2024
trent boult’s art pic.twitter.com/N5KVh4hY8G
— Sritama (@cricketpun_duh) June 13, 2024
West Indies was 22/4 then comes Sherfane Rutherford and took the charge with 68*(39) @ 174.36 🤯
Man of the Match of the Game 🎯 pic.twitter.com/WP1eblfG0N
— Aditya (@Hurricanrana_27) June 13, 2024
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