Source: ICC |
West Indies Defeat New Zealand by 13 Runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cup Match
In the 26th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, West Indies emerged victorious over New Zealand by 13 runs. The Group C match took place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, where New Zealand won the toss and chose to field first.
First Innings
West Indies scored a total of 149 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs, setting a target of 150 runs for New Zealand. Sherfane Rutherford was the standout performer with a powerful innings, hitting 68 not out off 39 balls, including 6 sixes and 2 fours. Nicholas Pooran contributed 17 runs, Akeal Hosein 15, Andre Russell 14, and Romario Shepherd 13.
For New Zealand, Trent Boult was the leading bowler, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs in his 4-over spell, including a maiden over. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson both took 2 wickets each, while James Neesham and Mitchell Santner claimed one wicket each.
Second Innings
Chasing the target of 150, New Zealand managed to score 136 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Glenn Phillips was the top scorer with 40 runs off 33 balls, Finn Allen made 26 runs, and Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten with 21 runs.
From the West Indies bowling attack, Alzarri Joseph was the most successful, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs in his 4 overs. Gudakesh Motie also impressed, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs, while Akeal Hosein took 1 wicket for 21 runs.
Summary and Implications
This victory allows West Indies to qualify directly for the Super 8 stage in Group C. Previously, West Indies had secured wins against Papua New Guinea and Uganda. Conversely, New Zealand, after suffering a defeat against Afghanistan, was striving to keep their tournament hopes alive with a win against West Indies.
The match was held at the Brian Lara Stadium, a venue named after the legendary West Indies cricketer, marking its significance in hosting a T20 World Cup match.
Additional Notes
- West Indies' triumph bolsters their standing in Group C, enhancing their chances of progressing further in the tournament.
- New Zealand, now facing a critical juncture, will need to reassess and strategize to stay competitive in the tournament.
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