T20 WC 2024, Match 26, West Indies vs New Zealand: Sherfane Rutherford guides WI to a modest total amidst batting collapse - Cricket Winner

The 26th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is currently taking place between West Indies vs New Zealand at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Jun 12, 08:30 PM local. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. New Zealand bowlers did exceptionally well to restrict the opponent to a below-par total but Sherfane Rutherford’s 68* helped WI post a decent total.

West Indies got off to a poor start

Put into bat first, openers Brandon King and Charles got off to a poor start. Both the openers got out for 9 and 0 respectively. Nicholas Pooran, who came in the middle quite early, tried to steady the ship but failed to get support from the other end. Tim Southee cut short his stay in the middle as he removed him for 20 off 17.

His dismissal left West Indies in trouble as soon after Roston Chase and Rovman Powell too got dismissed for 0 and 1 respectively as well. And, they were reduced to 30 for 5 in 6.3 overs. Back-to-back dismissals brought Sherfane Rutherford in the middle.

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Sherfane Rutherford scored a quickfire fifty

He took time initially and played the anchor’s role. Alongside him, Akeal Hosein, Russell and Romario Shepherd contributed too. However, Rutherford changed the gear towards the end of the innings. He smashed a quickfire fifty and remained unbeaten on 68 off 39 with 2 fours and 6 sixes. His swashbuckling knock helped West Indies post a decent total of 149 for 9 in 20 overs.

Trent Boult picked up 3 wickets whereas Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson claimed two wickets each. However, 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.

After the stunning knock, Sherfane Rutherford said: “Want to thank God for the opportunity. Good feeling to play a World cup match and this is what we work hard for and strive for, thankful I could make a contribution. My plan was to bat deep and back myself to make it count and I did that. Was telling whoever came out to bat, that even small contributions count. 149 is a brilliant score on this.”