Calypso singer David Rudder performed “Rally ’Round the West Indies” live at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, its rousing lyrics and tropical melody providing an uplifting backdrop as Rovman Powell’s men sailed into the Super Eights of this year’s T20 World Cup with a come-from-behind 13-run win against New Zealand, whose Super Eight hopes now hang by a thread.
Adversity is known to test character, provoking reactions ranging from panic to composure. In its 150-run chase on Wednesday night, the New Zealand batting order appeared skittish as West Indies spinners, especially left-arm orthodox Gudakesh Motie, applied a brilliant choke-hold on a two-paced pitch. Motie’s 3 for 25, coupled with Alzarri Joseph’s four-for and Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 39-ball 68, extinguished the Kiwi challenge.
Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips were the only New Zealand batsmen to show resistance. Powell’s smart bowling changes, particularly his use of spinners during the dew-affected middle overs, played a crucial role. This strategy exploited favourable match-ups and mitigated the impact of the wet ball.
Disastrous start
After New Zealand chose to bowl, home fans watched West Indies’ first-ever men’s World Cup match at the Brian Lara Stadium unfold on a tricky pitch. West Indies lost four for 10 to be 30 for five in the seventh over.
Kane Williamson’s decision to delay introducing spin until the ninth over, using Jimmy Neesham’s slower balls and cutters, initially paid off. Andre Russell attempted to shift momentum with Rutherford but was deceived by a slower Trent Boult delivery.
New Zealand’s fielding, previously shaky against Afghanistan, was sharp until Rutherford’s late assault, which included three sixes off Daryl Mitchell in the 19th over, proved crucial. Williamson gambled by having Mitchell bowl the penultimate over, leaving left-armer Mitchell Santner for the final over against Rutherford. The left-hander capitalised, hitting with the wind and exploiting the shorter boundary to his leg side. His 37-run last-wicket stand with Motie propelled the Windies to 58 runs in the last five overs, turning the match on its head.
The scores:
West Indies 149/9 in 20 overs (Rutherford 68 n.o., Boult 3/16, Southee 2/21, Ferguson 2/27) bt New Zealand 136/9 in 20 overs (Allen 26, Phillips 40, Joseph 4/19, Motie 3/25); Toss: New Zealand; PoM: Rutherford.
