West Indies Storm into Super Eight After Beating New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2024

The West Indies clinched a spot within the Super eight of the T20 World Cup 2024 after a thrilling thirteen-run victory over New Zealand on Thursday at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. This triumph propelled Rovman Powell’s group to the top of the standings, having received all three in their matches to this point, at the same time as the Black Caps languish at the bottom, dealing with the approaching hazard of elimination.

Opting to bat first, the West Indies determined themselves in hassle early, reeling at 23 for four for the duration of the powerplay. Nicholas Pooran’s brief cameo of 17 runs off 12 balls became the simplest resistance in opposition to the Kiwi bowlers in the preliminary overs. Pooran surpassed Chris Gayle to emerge as the main run-scorer for the Caribbean in T20Is, however his competitive shot attempt led to his dismissal via Tim Southee. Southee, at the side of Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, ruled the West Indies batting order.

Amid the fall apart, Sherfane Rutherford staged a awesome restoration, guidance the West Indies to a total of 149 for nine. Rutherford’s unbeaten knock of sixty eight off 39 balls, featuring 2 fours and 6 sixes, injected critical momentum into the innings with the aid of scoring 37 runs in the final two overs. Contributions from Akeal Hosein, Andre Russell, and Romario Shepherd provided valuable support lower down the order.

Trent Boult emerged because the standout bowler for New Zealand, turning in figures of 4-1-sixteen-3, whilst Southee and Ferguson claimed wickets each.

Chasing a target of a hundred and fifty, New Zealand misplaced Devon Conway early, giving the hosts an advantage. Finn Allen’s 26 off 23 balls briefly progressed New Zealand’s Powerplay overall performance, however his dismissal left the Black Caps at 36/2 after the primary six overs. The rest of New Zealand’s lineup struggled, with Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra failing to make enormous contributions. Motie introduced a tremendous ball that clipped the top of center stump, brushing off Daryl Mitchell.

With 5 overs ultimate, New Zealand wanted 65 runs to win. Glenn Phillips and James Neesham tried to regain momentum, but their hopes dimmed while Alzarri Joseph induced Neesham to sky a ball, which Brandon King correctly caught. The West Indies' disciplined bowling and fielding ensured they defended their overall, sealing an area in the Super 8 and highlighting their strong shape within the match.