New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign is on life support after the Black Caps turned in another shoddy performance to go 0-2 in Group C on Thursday (AEST).
Tournament hosts West Indies (3-0) fought back from the brink to record a 13 run victory in Tarouba thanks largely to star turns from Sherfane Rutherford, Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie.
Victory qualified the West Indies for the ‘Super Eight’ phase of the tournament.
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Andre Russell of the West Indies fields off his own delivery. Getty
Rutherford came to the crease in the sixth over with the West Indies in a massive hole at 4-22.
The 25-year-old then swung the match with an unbeaten 68 from 39 balls that included six sixes.
West Indies finished with 9-149 on a low and slow pitch and New Zealand’s rusty batters never seriously threatened the target despite a late flurry from Mitchell Santner.
Kane Williamson of New Zealand leaves the field after being dismissed. Getty
Paceman Joseph (4-19) and spinner Motie (3-25) were the pick of the home bowlers.
New Zealand, perennial World Cup contenders in recent years, have come under fire at home after bizarrely electing not to play any warm-up games.
“It’s not hindsight, it’s something that we foresaw many months ago,” former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said after the opening loss to Afghanistan.
Akeal Hosein and Nicholas Pooran of the West Indies celebrate the wicket of Devon Conway of New Zealand. Getty
“I am astounded by it, to be brutally honest, because we did look rusty and I don’t blame the guys for looking rusty.”
Rutherford scored 18 off the last over, including a six and a boundary off the last two deliveries from Santner.
Rutherford went on the attack as the West Indies added 58 in the last five overs, working in short, sharp partnerships with the tailenders.
He was 15 off 14 deliveries when star allrounder Andre Russell was out for 14 in the 13th over to make the total 7-76, and accelerated with the lower order to defy the New Zealand bowlers.
“It’s a good feeling, to help my team. That is what we live for and work hard for,” Rutherford said.
“It was a very tough surface to start on. It is only the start of something big to come and hopefully we can keep winning and momentum going.”
New Zealand started well after winning the toss and sending the West Indies in, with Trent Boult (3-16) bowling opener Johnson Charles in the first over.
Tim Southee (2-21) had dangerman Nicholas Pooran caught behind for 12 in the fourth over, trigging a run of three wickets for three runs.
Lockie Ferguson deceived Roston Chase with a slower ball to make it 3-21 and skipper Rovman Powell was caught behind off Southee five balls later.
Russell went on the counterattack with 14 runs off seven balls but his dismissal – caught in the deep of Boult’s bowling – appeared to be an insurmountable setback until Rutherford took up the challenge.
“The quality of Sherfane’s innings was high,” New Zealand skipper Williamson said.
“The batting depth in their side was beneficial for sure. We cannot make excuses and have to find ways.” – with AP