T20 WC 2024, Match 26: Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie help West Indies Beat New Zealand by 13 runs; WI qualify for Super 8 - Cricket Winner

The 26th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between West Indies vs New Zealand at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad. West Indies registered a convincing win over New Zealand by 19 runs. Sherfane Rutherford smashed a quick fifty whereas Alzarri Joseph claimed a four-fer and Gudakesh Motie’s 3-wicket haul helped West Indies seal the deal with ease.

Put into bat first, West Indies openers Brandon King and Charles got off to a rather poor start. Both of them got out for 9 and 0 respectively. Nicholas Pooran then tried to steady the ship but failed to get support from the other end as Tim Southee removed him for 20 off 17.

Sherfane Rutherford scored a quick fifty

However, his dismissal brought trouble for West Indies as soon after Roston Chase and Rovman Powell too got out for 0 and 1 respectively as well. And, they were reduced to 30 for 5 in 6.3 overs only. And, the dismissals brought Sherfane Rutherford in the middle quite early.

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He took time to st his eyes in and then slowly built the innings. Alongside him, Akeal Hosein, Russell and Romario Shepherd all contributed too. However, Rutherford stepped up towards the end of the innings. He smashed a quickfire half-century and remained unbeaten on 68 off 39 with 2 fours and 6 sixes. His stunning knock helped West Indies post a decent total of 149 for 9 in 20 overs.

Trent Boult claimed 3 wickets whereas Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson also scalped two wickets each. However, with this score, the West Indies made a few records as well. While their 149 is the highest team total after losing 5 wickets for < 30 in Men’s T20Is, Sherfane Rutherford’s 68* placed second in the highest individual scores from No.6 or below in T20 World Cups and third for West Indies in T20s as well. Notably, Gudakesh Motie and Sherfane Rutherford share the highest 10th wicket stand in the T20 World Cup – 37*.

Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie dismantle New Zealand’s batting

While chasing, New Zealand lost the opener Devon Conway for a mere 5. However, Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra tried to steady the ship but Alzarri Joseph removed Allen for 26. Kane Williamson too got out for a mere 1.

On the other hand, New Zealand lost half of their wickets in 63 runs in the 11th over as well. Glenn Phillips then started to steady the ship around James Neesham and Mitchell Santner as well. Phillips scored 40 off 33 with 3 fours and 2 sixes whereas Santner scored 21 off 12 with 3 sixes.

However, that was not enough as Alzarri Joseph’s stunning spell left them struggling in the middle. Alongside him, Gudakesh Motie too did well from the other end to restrict the opponent as well. He picked up 4/19 whereas Gudakesh Motie scalped 3/25 and helped West Indies win comfortably. With this win, West Indies qualified for the Super 8 as well.

Player of the Match

Sherfane Rutherford said: “Want to thank God for the opportunity. I was in IPL for two months. I was preparing even though I wasn’t playing. I was preparing for this. To take it deep was the plan. Me and (Daren) Sammy had a talk. We spoke of taking it deep and just keep rotating the strike as I can make up for it later on. (On his strategy for the last two overs where he scored 37 runs) Looking at their bowling lineup I knew they were short of two overs and I was telling myself to take it deep. Wanted to maximise on those overs. That was the plan and I think it did that well. Hopefully the start of something to come. I will have chicken curry for tonight.”