West Indies beat NZ to secure Super Eight spot

West Indies players celebrate a dismissal

Co-hosts the West Indies are officially through to the next stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after pulling off a clutch win over fellow tournament heavyweights New Zealand at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad yesterday.

Middle-order bat Sherfane Rutherford was the hero for the home side, producing one of the innings of the tournament to help the West Indies set a strong target.

Nicholas Pooran rode some luck for three quick boundaries, becoming the West Indies’ highest T20I run-getter, moving past Chris Gayle. But New Zealand took ascendancy, forcing Pooran and then Roston Chase to both top edge straight to catchers.

It was left for the hosts’ middle and lower order to pick up the pieces when opener Brandon King’s dismissal became the Black Caps’ fifth blow with the ball.

Rutherford turned the final five overs into his own ‘Powerplay’ of sorts, blasting five sixes and two fours. He brought up his 50 on the final ball of the 19th over and pounded 18 runs off the final six deliveries as Mitchell Santner had no answers with the ball.Devon Conway was out cheaply, as momentum stuck with the hosts at the start of the new innings. But Finn Allen was determined to ensure New Zealand’s Powerplay went more smoothly than the Windies’.

He made 26 off 23 before finding Russell at deep backward square leg, as the Black Caps finished the first six overs at 36 for two.

Joseph’s 4/19 and Motie’s 3/25 made sure the hosts maintained control in the field.

And despite Santner’s best efforts, slugging a 21 not out off 12 at the death, the West Indies officially booked their spot in the second round with a 13-run win – New Zealand’s innings finished 136 for nine off 20 overs.

Chief scores: 

West Indies: 149/9 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 68 n.o, Trent Boult 3/16, Tim Southee 2/21) 
New Zealand: 136/9 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 40; Alzarri Joseph 4/19). Agencies