ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 West Indies defeated New Zealand by 13 runs by which they qualified for Super 8 New Zealand is on the verge of elimination which affected them a lot two consecutive losses have made them take an early exit from the tournament.
Toss was an X-factor
West Indies and New Zealand faced each other at Trinidad and it was the first match on this pitch, conditions were dry and so batters were unable to pick the ball easily cool breezes were moving to and so the toss was very important New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first which helped them halfway but later West Indies took advantage of the death overs and so it felt losing the toss was much good so they were able to score 150 which was a good score on this pitch.
Sherfane Rutherford saves West Indies
West Indies were invited to bat first which somehow didn’t suit them they lost 4 wickets in powerplay even explosive batter Nicholas Pooran was unable to contribute after smashing 3 fours. West Indies had made just 23 runs in powerplay New Zealand bowlers had an upper hand in powerplay and later in middle overs too they had made the game. Till the 18th over match felt like New Zealand would restrict under 130 but Sherfane Rutherford had some different plans he took Daryl Mitchell on a roll and smashed 19 runs in the over which made the team’s total to 149 and he scored an unbeaten century which was an incredible finish by him and helped pretty much to contribute in scoring runs.
New Zealand holds their nerves
New Zealand had won the toss and opted to bowl first which felt like they had made the game picking 4 wickets in powerplay and kept struggling with the Windy’s batters looks like New Zealand had prepared well and the bowlers contributed well Trent Boult had a good day at the office scalping 3 wickets and Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson picked 2 wickets each. Despite good bowling by New Zealand, they were helpless in the last over as Rutherford showed his Caribbean power and took West Indies to 149 which felt like an easy score to chase.
Glenn Phillips’s quick-fire went in vain
When New Zealand came to chase the target West Indies had made up their mind to smell the bowl pretty much and they did. New Zealand had a steady powerplay better than West Indies lost 2 wickets but were in control. As soon as the powerplay ended a chapter of collapse started New Zealand was 39/3 suddenly they were 85/6 which felt like they had found themselves in a fuss just like the last match against Afghanistan. Players were coming and going but Glenn Philips stood and made sure that he would take New Zealand to the winning side later his quickfire didn’t work much and he also lost his wicket. In the last over Mitchell Santner had almost made the match smashing 3 sixes to Romario Shepherd but in the end to pull the heist but fell short by 13 runs.
Brilliant performance by West Indies bowlers
So it’s time now for bowlers to do some charisma with the bowl which they did. New Zealand had the upper hand in the powerplay but after the powerplay, West Indies showed their real power and with great execution dethroned New Zealand. Alzarri Joesph and Gudakesh Motie were the hero for West Indies together scalped 7 wickets out of 9 and so took West Indies to Super 8 with that win. Sherfane Rutherford was adjourned as Man Of the Match for his brilliant knock which helped West Indies to win this match.
