| 0.0 : Hello and welcome to the coverage of match 29 of World Cup 2019 as New Zealand take on West Indies. This is a crucial game for both teams for completely opposite reasons. West Indies need to win this as a defeat here will blow their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. After their crushing victory against Pakistan in their opener, the team from Caribbean have faded away and have not won a game since then. Jason Holder needs his team to step up today and deliver. New Zealand, on the other ha |
| TOSS - We are all in readiness for the toss. West Indies skipper, Jason Holder has the coin in hand. Up it goes, New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson calls Tails but it comes down as Heads. WEST INDIES OPT TO BOWL. |
| West Indies skipper, Jason Holder says it is a pretty good wicket and hence the decision to field. Says they know how crucial this game is and need to step up on the occassion. Holder admits that they have not been consistent for full 100 overs since the game against Pakistan and they are looking to correct that. Holder informs there are three changes in the playing XI as Nurse, Roach and Braithwaite come in place of Russell, Bravo and Shannon Gabriel. |
| New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says they would have bowled first as well but reckons the surface will remain same throughout. Williamson says now they need to do a job with the bat. Says they are aware of the threat West Indies possess as they have World class players. On the low scoring games New Zealand have had, Williamson informs one can play to what is in front of them and now that they will put on a good total on the board in this game. Informs they are unchanged from their previous |
| PITCH REPORT - Brendon McCullum says that it is the best pitch we have seen in this World Cup and reckons this will be a high scoring game as it is a hard surface with little to no covering of grass. |
| West Indies Playing XI - Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (WK), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite (IN for ANDRE RUSSELL), Ashley Nurse (IN for Darren Bravo), Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach (IN for Shannon Gabriel), Sheldon Cottrell. |
| New Zealand Playing XI - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult. |
| The players are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. New Zealand's anthem to go up first followed by West Indies'. We are not far away from the start of this game. |
| Done and dusted with the national anthems. It's play time now! The West Indies players are in a huddle before they take their position in the field. Colin Munro and Martin Guptill stride out to open the innings for New Zealand. The latter will take the strike. Sheldon Cottrell to start the proceedings with the first new ball for West Indies. The umpire says play and so we begin. |
| Review straightaway! It is an absolute peach of a yorker. Inswinging on middle and leg. Guptill looks to hit it but it looks like he has missed it. Ultra Edge confirms that he has not hit it. Ball Tracker shows the ball goes onto hit the leg pole. |
| 0.1 : S Cottrell to M Guptill, OUT! WHAT A START! First ball and West Indies have sent Guptill for an early shower. An absolute beauty of a yorker. It is an inswinging one on middle and leg, Guptill looks to get his bat down but is late and the swing beats him. The West Indies player put in a loud appeal but the umpire turns it down. They have a discussion and Holder takes it upstairs. For the naked eye it looks to be taking the inside edge but Ultra Edge shows there is none. Ball Tracker rolls i |
| Skipper, Kane Williamson walks out to bat at number 3. He certainly did not expect to come in so early. He has been excellent throughout this tournament and he will once again have to lead from the front. |
| 0.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Williamson is off the mark with a beautiful drive. Good length ball on off, Kane strokes it through covers. Braithwaite gives it a chase but he trips and dives very early. He cannot stop the ball, Lewis running with him pushes it before the ropes but the batsmen come back for the fourth. |
| 0.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Williamson blocks it. |
| 0.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Full on off, Williamson drives it through covers and gets three as it is on the longer end of the pitch. |
| 0.5 : S Cottrell to C Munro, OUT! Munro too departs for a duck. First ball and he gets a yorker. That is a nightmare ball to get first up. West Indies have a perfect start here. Both the openers are back in the pavilion. Another perfect yorker. This one in is on off and middle, Munro is late to get his bat down and the ball goes onto to disturb the timber. Cottrell brings out his trademark salute and the West Indies players and fans are ecstatic. |
| Ross Taylor is the next batsman in. |
| 0.6 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, Taylor is off the mark with a gorgeous cover drive. It is once again hit at the longer side of the boundary. Taylor is quick between the wickets and so they get three. 10 runs off the first over but more importantly 2 quick wickets. |
| Kemar Roach to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : K Roach to R Taylor, Roach starts with a good length ball on off, Taylor looks to block but gets hit on the thigh pad. Inward movement straightaway. |
| 1.2 : K Roach to R Taylor, FOUR! First proper boundary off the day and it is excellently cut. Taylor likes the width on offer and he caresses it through point for a boundary. |
| 1.3 : K Roach to R Taylor, On a good length and outside off, Taylor lets it go. |
| 1.4 : K Roach to R Taylor, On a good length on middle, Taylor defends it off the back foot. |
| 1.5 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full on middle, Ross drives it to mid on. |
| 1.6 : K Roach to R Taylor, In the air but safe. Length ball on off, it stops while it comes to Taylor. Ross is halfway in his drive and he ends up chipping it. Luckily it falls short of the cover fielder. |
| 2.1 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Very full on middle and leg, Kane defends it back to the bowler. |
| 2.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Play and a miss. Full once again, this time it is outside off. Kane looks to play at it but misses. |
| 2.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Another beauty! Cottrell is bowling venom here. He hits the deck hard on a length. It moves away after pitching, Kane looks to stroke it on the off side but gets beaten. The ball was not far away from the outside edge. |
| 2.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Once again the away swing beats Williamson. It is on good length outside off, Kane looks to poke at it but misses. |
| 2.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, This time it is on top of off and Williamson is able to get bat on ball on his back foot defense. |
| 2.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, End of an excellent maiden over. It is on the fourth stump line, Williamson does not tease that one. End of another excellent Cottrell over. |
| 3.1 : K Roach to R Taylor, Good length ball on the pads, Taylor flicks it towards square leg and gets a single. |
| 3.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, Outside off this time, Williamson calmly leaves it. |
| 3.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, EDGE AND FOUR. Good length ball around off, Williamson looks to defend it with soft hands but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes wide of Chris Gayle at first slip. He puts in a dive but in vain. The ball goes fine of third man and into the fence. |
| 3.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, This time Williamson intentionally opens the face of the bat and runs it through third man for one. |
| 3.5 : K Roach to R Taylor, Fuller on off, Taylor plays it late towards backward point and rotates the strike. |
| 3.6 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full on off, Williamson defends it off the front foot with authority to see off the over. |
| 4.1 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, Full on off, Taylor drives it to the man at cover. |
| 4.2 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, Direct hit but safe. On the pads, Taylor flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a quick single. Brathwaite gets to the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but Ross was safely in. |
| 4.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Kane defends it off the back foot. |
| 4.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Outside off, Kane leaves it alone. |
| 4.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Length ball on the stumps, Williamson gets on his back foot and blocks it. |
| 4.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Dot to finish the over. On off, Williamson defends it towards cover-point and calls a loud no to his partner. |
| 5.1 : K Roach to R Taylor, Roach steams in and bowls it on a length on off. The ball comes in after pitching, Ross defends it off the inner half of his bat towards mid on. |
| 5.2 : K Roach to R Taylor, Good length ball outside off, Taylor looks to defend but misses. |
| 5.3 : K Roach to R Taylor, Back of a length ball on the stumps, RT defends it off the back foot. |
| 5.4 : K Roach to R Taylor, EDGE BUT JUST SHORT. Slightly fuller on off, Taylor looks to defend with soft hands but the ball goes off the outside edge. It falls short of young Gayle at first slip. |
| 5.5 : K Roach to R Taylor, Around off, Taylor defends it towards cover. |
| 5.6 : K Roach to R Taylor, Excellent stuff this from West Indies. They are not giving away any easy runs here. The last ball is on the body, Taylor tucks it towards mid on. |
| 6.1 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Kane defends it calmly. |
| 6.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, On middle and leg now, Williamson tucks it behind square on the leg side and gets to the other end. |
| 6.3 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, On the body once again, Taylor glances it down to fine leg and gets a single. |
| 6.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Williamson defends it to cover. |
| 6.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Short ball on off, Williamson sways away from it. |
| 6.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Good shot and well fielded too. Full on off, Williamson drives it to the left of cover. Brathwaite dives on that side and saves a certain boundary. He cannot hold onto the ball as it deflects off his hand. The batsmen take a singe. |
| 7.1 : K Roach to K Williamson, OHH! Roach hits the deck hard on a length. Williamson did not pick it up. He was looking to duck but the ball does not rise on him. It hits him hard on his glove. |
| 7.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, This time picks the length correctly and defends it astutely. |
| 7.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, Length ball pitching on off and coming in with the angle. Kane defends it to mid on. |
| 7.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, Outside off, Kane tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 7.5 : K Roach to K Williamson, Good looking stroke but straight to point. Outside off, Kane stands tall and punches it to point. |
| 7.6 : K Roach to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Kane strokes it straight to short cover. |
| First bowling change of the game. The skipper, Jason Holder, introduces himself into the attack. |
| 8.1 : J Holder to R Taylor, Starts with a full ball on off, Taylor pushes it to the man at mid off. |
| 8.2 : J Holder to R Taylor, Good fielding! West Indies are not giving away any easy runs here. Good length ball on the pads, Taylor flicks it wide of mid on. Brathwaite there dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. Just a run taken by the batsmen. |
| 8.3 : J Holder to K Williamson, On the pads, Kane flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 8.4 : J Holder to R Taylor, Good length ball on off, Taylor defends it off the front foot. |
| 8.5 : J Holder to R Taylor, Length delivery on off, Ross blocks it off the front foot. |
| 8.6 : J Holder to R Taylor, An easy tickle to square leg to finish the over. Holder gives an easy ball on the pads, Ross just glances it to square leg for one. He will keep the strike. |
| 9.1 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full on off, Ross defends it off the front foot. |
| 9.2 : K Roach to R Taylor, Length ball on off, Ross once again blocks it. |
| 9.3 : K Roach to R Taylor, Good length ball on the pads, Taylor flicks it wide of fine leg and gets a couple. |
| 9.4 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full now on off, Taylor pushes it to mid off. |
| 9.5 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full again, now Taylor defends it towards cover. |
| 9.6 : K Roach to R Taylor, Dot to finish Powerplay 1. It has clearly been West Indies' Powerplay. New Zealand are 30/2 at the end of it. |
| Powerplay 2 is signaled. Maximum of four fielders can be outside the circle till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : J Holder to K Williamson, Length delivery on off, Williamson defends it with a straight bat. |
| 10.2 : J Holder to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Kane flicks it towards mid-wicket and shouts a loud no to his partner as the ball goes to the fielder there quickly. |
| 10.3 : J Holder to K Williamson, NO BALL! Holder oversteps. He bowls it on the pads, Williamson flicks it to fine leg for a single. West Indies can change the field here as the strike has been changed. Can Taylor make the most of this free ball? |
| FREE HIT TIME! |
| J Holder to R Taylor, No he cannot. Nothing off the Free Hit. It is short outside off, Taylor looks to pull but misses. Waste of a Free Hit this. |
| 10.4 : J Holder to R Taylor, Bouncer now. Taylor ducks under it. |
| 10.5 : J Holder to R Taylor, Good length ball on off, Ross defends it off the front foot. |
| 10.6 : J Holder to R Taylor, On the pads, Taylor flicks it but finds the man at square leg. |
| 11.1 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full on off, Williamson drives it but finds the man cover. |
| 11.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, On the body, Williamson flicks it uppishly wide of the keeper down the leg side. Cottrell at fine leg runs to his right and shows some footballing skills by saving the ball with his foot. It has been signalled leg bye. So it has come off his hip maybe. |
| 11.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full on middle and leg, Williamson defends it towards mid on. |
| 11.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, Good length ball on the pads, Kane flicks it towards square leg and gets a couple. |
| 11.5 : K Roach to K Williamson, This time finds mid-wicket with his flick. |
| 11.6 : K Roach to K Williamson, On top of off, Kane defends it off the front foot. |
| 12.1 : J Holder to R Taylor, On a good length on middle, Taylor keeps it out. |
| 12.2 : J Holder to R Taylor, On a length on middle, Taylor flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 12.3 : J Holder to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Williamson taps it towards backward point and rotates the strike. |
| 12.4 : J Holder to R Taylor, On middle and off, Williamson glances it to short mid-wicket. |
| 12.5 : J Holder to R Taylor, FOUR! Taylor breaking the shackles now. Welcome boundary this. It is the first after the 4th over. Taylor shimmies down the track and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 12.6 : J Holder to R Taylor, Follows it up with a nice gentle push towards mid on. The fielder there dives to his left and keeps it down to one. |
| Oshane Thomas replaces Kemar Roach into the attack. |
| 13.1 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Thomas bowls a full ball first up on off, Taylor strokes it wide of mid off but does not get a single. |
| 13.2 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Once again the length is the same. It is on middle, Taylor flicks it off the inner half of his bat towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 13.3 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Good length ball on off, Williamson taps it to the fielder at backward point. |
| 13.4 : O Thomas to K Williamson, FOUR! Slight width on offer and Williamson pounces on it like a cheetah. Outside off on a length, Kane cuts it through point. Brathwaite runs to his right and puts in a dive to save the ball from going to the fence. He fails in his attempt to do so. |
| 13.5 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Follows it up with a solid back foot defense. |
| 13.6 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Chipped but safe. Cross seam ball on off, Williamson looks to drive but ends up chipping it as the ball stops on him. Luckily it is short of the man at mid off. |
| 14.1 : J Holder to R Taylor, FOUR! Pulled and pulled hard! Back of a length ball on off, Taylor picks the length early and pulls it away over mid-wicket for a boundary. Ross is getting into his own now. |
| 14.2 : J Holder to R Taylor, Now follows the boundary with a solid front foot defense. |
| 14.3 : J Holder to R Taylor, Good length ball on middle and leg, Taylor nudges it towards mid on and takes one. |
| 14.4 : J Holder to K Williamson, On the pads, Kane flicks it towards square leg and rotates the strike. |
| 14.5 : J Holder to R Taylor, Full on off, Ross strokes it towards mid off and takes a quick single. |
| 14.6 : J Holder to K Williamson, Smart batting this. Good length ball on off, Williamson tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single as he keeps the strike. |
| DRINKS! New Zealand have done well to steady the ship after their disastrous start. The experienced duo of Taylor and Williamson have done well to calm things down. They have been cautious in their approach and rightfully so as it is not as good a pitch to bat as expected. West Indies have been good so far but they cannot let these two keep on going with this partnership. They need to break this stand if they want to once again get a firm grip hold on this game. |
| 15.1 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Good length ball on the stumps, Kane defends it off the back foot. |
| 15.2 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Full on off, Williamson defends it off the front foot. |
| 15.3 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Outside off, Williamson punches it to cover. |
| 15.4 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Brings up the 50-run stand between the two. It has been a good partnership at the scheme of things here. They will need to stay there longer. Good length ball on the pads, Kane flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and get a brace. |
| 15.5 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Length delivery on off, KW punches it to the man at cover. |
| 15.6 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Outside off on a length, Williamson taps it to his favourite region, the third man and keeps the strike. |
| 16.1 : J Holder to K Williamson, On middle and leg, Kane defends it off the front foot. |
| 16.2 : J Holder to K Williamson, Easy picking this. Holder needs to maintain the off stump line here. He bowls it on the pads, Kane glances it down to fine leg for an easy single. |
| 16.3 : J Holder to R Taylor, Full on middle, Ross loves playing the flick shot. He plays it here through mid-wicket but there is a man in the deep so just a single. |
| 16.4 : J Holder to K Williamson, FOUR! Wonderful! Absolutely gorgeous. Full on off, Williamson gets on front foot and drives it off the middle through covers for a boundary. |
| 16.5 : J Holder to K Williamson, Follows it up with a single towards square leg. Smart and sensible batting this. |
| 16.6 : J Holder to R Taylor, Slower bouncer, Taylor pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and looks for two straightaway. Nurse gets to the ball quickly, Williamson sees it and shouts a loud no to his partner. So just a single. Good fielding and a good call from Williamson there. Good cricket all around. |
| 17.1 : O Thomas to R Taylor, FOUR! Beautiful! Full on off, Taylor plays a straight drive which is straight as an arrow. Nurse gives it a chase from mid off. He puts in a dive too but the ball beats him to the fence. |
| 17.2 : O Thomas to R Taylor, On the pads, Taylor glances it on the on side to get off the strike now. |
| 17.3 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Length delivery on the body, Williamson flicks it towards fine leg and gets a run. Thomas needs to correct his line and length here. At the moment he is all over here and there. |
| 17.4 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Better ball this. Good length ball on off, Taylor tucks it towards mid-wicket and looks for a quick run but Kane says no. |
| 17.5 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Length ball outside off, Taylor cuts it to point. |
| 17.6 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Hits the deck hard on off. No swing for Thomas here. Ross defends it and this time he is the one who says no. |
| Carlos Brathwaite is into the attack. |
| 18.1 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Brathwaite bowls a full ball on off first up. Williamson flicks it wide of mid-wicket and takes one. |
| 18.2 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Good length ball on middle, Ross flicks too but he finds mid-wicket. |
| 18.3 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Very well bowled short ball this. It is near his body, Taylor looks to pull but then decides to get off from the shot. He ends up playing a half pull, half cut towards point. |
| 18.4 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Good length ball now. This is pushed to mid on. |
| 18.5 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Pulled hard this time but there is a man in the deep so just a single. |
| 18.6 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Outside off on a length, Williamson cuts it towards point and keeps the strike. |
| 19.1 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Good field placement this. Holder has kept a short third man as Williamson likes to score in that region. Good length ball outside off, Williamson guides it towards third man but finds Gayle at short third. |
| 19.2 : O Thomas to K Williamson, This time Gayle moves from short third man to backward point but Williamson still finds him with his tap down that region. |
| 19.3 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Finally Kane is able to tap it past Gayle and towards third man for a single. |
| 19.4 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Length ball on off, Ross blocks it off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Good length ball outside off, Taylor cuts it to the man at point. |
| 19.6 : O Thomas to R Taylor, FOUR! That was hit with power. Thomas rolls his finger on this one but still delivers it at 131kph. It is around off, Taylor jumps and punches it hard through covers for a boundary. |
| 20.1 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Full on off, Williamson strokes it wide of mid on and looks for a single but the fielder there gets there quickly so Kane swiftly sends Ross back. |
| 20.2 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, FOUR! Crisp! Good length ball on off, Williamson makes room and then punches it through point for a boundary. |
| 20.3 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Now bowls it on the pads, Kane flicks it towards backward square leg and gets a couple as Roach from fine leg cleans it up. |
| 20.4 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Another ball on the pads, Kane this time glances it to fine leg for one. |
| 20.5 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Slower ball. It is slightly short in length, Taylor pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 20.6 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Short again. This one is not slow though, Williamson pulls it to fine leg for a single. |
| Kemar Roach is back into the attack. Still spin not introduced into the attack. |
| 21.1 : K Roach to K Williamson, Good length ball on middle, Williamson strokes it to mid on. |
| 21.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, Length ball on off, Kane defends it off the front foot. |
| 21.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, Well played and good reflex shown by Roach. Length ball on off, Williamson hits it straight to the left of the bowler. Roach dives on that side quickly and saves runs for his side of his own bowling. As they say bowlers are great fielders off their own bowling. |
| 21.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full on the pads this time, Kane flicks it towards square leg without any fuss and gets a single. |
| 21.5 : K Roach to R Taylor, Length ball on off, Ross defends it off the front foot. |
| 21.6 : K Roach to R Taylor, FOUR! Poor ball from Roach! It is on the pads, Taylor flicks it fine down the fine leg region for a boundary. Roach is frustrated but that ball deserved to go for a boundary. |
| Finally, Ashley Nurse has been introduced into the attack. |
| 22.1 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Tossed up on off, Williamson milks it down to long on for a single. |
| 22.2 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Floated on off, Ross strokes it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 22.3 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Edge but safe. Flatter outside off, Kane looks to hit it on the off side but gets an outside edge which goes to short third man on a bounce. |
| 22.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, This time looks to guide it past short third man but finds Gayle. |
| 22.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Shorter on off, Williamson punches it wide of cover for one. |
| 22.6 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Tossed up on off, Ross strokes it towards cover and keeps the strike. |
| 23.1 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full on off, Taylor pushes it to mid off. |
| 23.2 : K Roach to R Taylor, Full on middle, Taylor flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 23.3 : K Roach to R Taylor, Good length ball on the stumps, Taylor defends it onto the ground. |
| 23.4 : K Roach to R Taylor, 100 up for New Zealand. They have lost just two wickets and after the start they had, they will definitely take it. Taylor pushes it towards mid on and takes a single to get his teams score to a century |
| 23.5 : K Roach to K Williamson, FIFTY FOR WILLIAMSON. His 39th ODI fifty. It has been a brilliant knock from him. He gets to the milestone with a flick down to mid-wicket. |
| 23.6 : K Roach to R Taylor, FOUR! Taylor gets to his 49th ODI fifty in style. Full on middle and leg, Taylor creams his on drive to the long on fence for a boundary. |
| 24.1 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Tossed up on off, Williamson pushes it towards long on for one. |
| 24.2 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Floated on off, Taylor nudges it to long on to bring up the 100-run stand between the two. |
| 24.3 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Tossed up on off, Kane strokes it towards sweeper cover and rotates the strike. |
| 24.4 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Taylor once again follows Kane's stroke in this over as even he plays it to the sweeper cover fielder and rotates the strike. |
| 24.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Short and just outside off, Kane guides it down to third man for one more. |
| 24.6 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Darted on the pads, Taylor looks to flick but it goes off his pads towards fine leg for a couple. |
| Sheldon Cottrell is back into the attack. He was excellent in his first spell and he has been the only bowler to get into the wickets column. 4-1-14-2 his figures so far. |
| 25.1 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, A length ball down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 25.2 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, Down the leg side again, Taylor falls over but manages to flick it through square leg for a run. |
| 25.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, A bouncer on middle and off, angling away, the skipper ducks. |
| 25.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Outside off, chopped behind point for a couple. Good diving stop by Carlos Brathwaite diving to his right from third man. |
| 25.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Full and around middle, pushed past the bowler through mid on for one. |
| 25.6 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, Excellent yorker to end the over, Rosco digs it out back to the bowler. |
| 26.1 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 26.2 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Quicker one outside off, Williamson looks to cut but misses. |
| 26.3 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 26.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 26.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, On middle, pushed through mid on for a single. |
| 26.6 : A Nurse to R Taylor, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 27.1 : S Cottrell to R Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Short and outside off, cut behind point for a couple. |
| 27.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, FOUR! LOVELY! As straight as a dye. Full and around middle, Williamson drives it straight back. Mid on and mid off are up and get bisected. |
| 27.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Another lovely drive, this time towards mid on. |
| 27.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, A hat-trick of straight drives! Cottrell comes around the wicket, bowls it full and outside off, Kane drives it straight back but Sheldon sticks out his right hand and stops it. |
| 27.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Outside off, a glorious cover drive, only for a single. |
| 28.1 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full and around off, Williamson jumps out and lofts it over the bowler for a couple down the ground. |
| 28.2 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Eases this through mid on for a single. |
| 28.3 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Lazy effort from Gayle. Taylor works this through square leg, the ball is straight to the fielder, he does not have to move either left or right but just come straight. That should not have been a single but Gayle ensures there is. The throw is also halfway down the pitch. Poor stuff. |
| 28.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple. |
| 28.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 28.6 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a quick single. |
| Oshane Thomas returns. 4-0-19-0 so far. |
| 29.1 : O Thomas to K Williamson, FOUR! Just over! Full and outside off, Williamson reaches out and looks to play the lofted cover drive. The ball sticks on the pitch and lobs off the bat. It flies in the air, but wide of mid off and cover to the fence! |
| 29.2 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 29.3 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 29.4 : O Thomas to K Williamson, On middle and leg, worked through square leg for a run. |
| 29.5 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Similar ball, worked through square leg for one. |
| 29.6 : O Thomas to K Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.1 : A Nurse to R Taylor, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 30.2 : A Nurse to K Williamson, On middle and leg, worked through square leg for a run. |
| 30.3 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 30.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off, played through point for another single. |
| 30.5 : A Nurse to R Taylor, Outside off, a touch short, played through point for another single. |
| 30.6 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 31.1 : O Thomas to K Williamson, Landed outside off, dabbed towards point for a single. |
| 31.2 : O Thomas to R Taylor, A short ball, down the leg side, Taylor looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. He looks for a single but the ball goes back to the bowler and Rosco goes back. |
| 31.3 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Full on middle, pushed through mid on but straight to the fielder. |
| 31.4 : O Thomas to R Taylor, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 31.5 : O Thomas to R Taylor, Short again, pulled straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 31.6 : O Thomas to R Taylor, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Drinks Break! Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson have put New Zealand back on track. Both of them are now scoring run without any fuss. They are looking very much at comfort and the two have added a 146-run stand. West Indies, once again after an early breakthrough have let their opponents off the hook and look like they will once again face the brunt of it. |
| A loud cheer from the crowd as Chris Gayle comes onto bowl. He is going to bowl with the cap on. |
| 32.1 : C Gayle to K Williamson, A touch short outside off, spinning in, Williamson works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 32.2 : C Gayle to R Taylor, Full and around middle, worked through the leg side for a run more. |
| 32.3 : C Gayle to K Williamson, Action replay of the previous delivery. This time behind square leg. |
| 32.4 : C Gayle to R Taylor, On middle, pushed down to long on for a run to bring up the 150-RUN STAND. This has been some recovery. |
| 32.5 : C Gayle to K Williamson, Full and around middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 32.6 : C Gayle to R Taylor, Full and around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| Carlos Brathwaite returns. 2-0-12-0 so far. |
| 33.1 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, On middle and leg, gentle loosener, flicked through square leg for a single. |
| 33.2 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Backs a long way down the leg side, Brathwaite follows him, Taylor looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 33.3 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Once again, backs a long way down the leg side, Carlos does a repeat of the previous ball, bowling a back of a length this time. Rosco looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his hips. A run taken. Smiles on the way while passing his skipper. |
| 33.4 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, FOUR! That is a classical shot. On a length outside off, Williamson stands tall and punches this through the covers. Mid off barely gives it a chase and poor sweeper cover has to run to his right to retrieve the ball. |
| 33.5 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, On middle and leg, flicked away for a single. |
| 33.6 : C Brathwaite to R Taylor, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run to end the over. |
| 34.1 : C Gayle to R Taylor, WIDE. Fired down the leg side, Taylor gets across and lets it go. |
| C Gayle to R Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 34.2 : C Gayle to R Taylor, Almost a yorker on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : C Gayle to R Taylor, OUT! Caught! Wow. Unbelievable. It is the Universe Boss who has broken the 160-run stand. Jason Holder is all pumped up and he stands at mid off with his arms aloft, celebrating. It is not a great ball, full and around middle but the pace and the angle have done the trick. Taylor is down the track but is cramped for room as he looks to play the inside-out shot. The ball hits the toe end of the bat and lobs limply to mid off. Jason Holder over there leaps and takes the |
| Tom Latham walks in at number 5, replacing Taylor. |
| 34.4 : C Gayle to Tom Latham, A full toss, on middle, pushed down to long on for a single. |
| 34.5 : C Gayle to K Williamson, Almost the second wicket in the over. Quicker one outside off, Williamson looks to cut but is beaten. |
| 34.6 : C Gayle to K Williamson, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| Holder gets his strike bowler back on. Kemar Roach is here again. 8-2-26-0 so far. Bowling him out. |
| 35.1 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. |
| 35.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. Two runs added to the total. |
| 35.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 35.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, A touch fuller than the previous one, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 35.5 : K Roach to Tom Latham, Comes down the track but is not quite to the pitch of the ball and defends. |
| 35.6 : K Roach to Tom Latham, Around off, Latham looks to run it down to third man but gets a bottom edge which goes towards the keeper on the bounce. |
| And.... Chris Gayle is going off the field. Guess he might want to have his right shoulder massaged. Jason Holder replaces him. 5-0-28-0 so far. |
| 36.1 : J Holder to K Williamson, A length ball outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 36.2 : J Holder to K Williamson, Full and on middle and off, Williamson tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. Moves to 99. |
| 36.3 : J Holder to Tom Latham, Wide half volley outside off, Latham reaches out and drives it through the covers for a run. |
| Williamson now... On 99... can he get to his second successive ton? |
| 36.4 : J Holder to K Williamson, Almost a mix-up! The nerves of the 90s... Williamson gets a short ball and looks to nudge it towards mid-wicket. He sets off for a single but then Nicholas Pooran quickly comes in from that position. Tom Latham shouts a loud NO at least 5 times and eventually, Willy returns. |
| 36.5 : J Holder to K Williamson, On middle and off, worked straight to Pooran at short mid-wicket again. |
| 36.6 : J Holder to K Williamson, A bouncer around off, KW lets it sail through. Willy stays on 99... |
| 37.1 : K Roach to Tom Latham, Outside off, punched down past the bowler through mid off for a single. |
| 37.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, Full and outside off, driven towards cover. |
| 37.3 : K Roach to K Williamson, FOUR! HUNDRED NUMBER 13 FOR WILLIAMSON! Consecutive ones this World Cup. He takes his helmet off and acknowledges the applause from the crowd. What a player. Came in when nothing was scored on the board and since then, has deflected the pressure back on the Windies. Gets to the landmark with a gentle tuck through fine leg for a boundary! |
| 37.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 37.5 : K Roach to K Williamson, Around off, worked through square leg for a run. |
| 37.6 : K Roach to Tom Latham, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| Ashley Nurse is back on. 5-0-26-0 so far. |
| 38.1 : A Nurse to Tom Latham, Outside off, punched through the off side for a single. |
| 38.2 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off again, dabbed straight to short third man. |
| 38.3 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off, punched off the back foot for one more. |
| 38.4 : A Nurse to Tom Latham, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 38.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 38.6 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Works it through the leg side, tucked through fine leg for one more. |
| Jason Holder returns. 6-0-30-0 so far. |
| 39.1 : J Holder to K Williamson, FOUR! Nice innovation. Holder's length is generally short and Williamson is ready in advance. Sees that fine leg is up and gets across, pull-paddling it over that fielder to the fence behind. |
| 0.0 : Fine leg goes back now. Mid on is up, so is mid off. |
| 39.2 : J Holder to K Williamson, FOUR! LOVELY! Holder is not happy with something, gesticulating to his fielders but there is nothing anyone could have done. Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it wide of mid off and gets consecutive boundaries! |
| 39.3 : J Holder to K Williamson, Landed outside off, the skipper slashes hard but gets a thick outside edge which races towards third man. Just a single. |
| 39.4 : J Holder to Tom Latham, Full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.5 : J Holder to K Williamson, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 39.6 : J Holder to Tom Latham, A short ball, around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for one more. |
| 40.1 : A Nurse to Tom Latham, Outside off, Latham looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. The keeper fumbles but not damage done. |
| 40.2 : A Nurse to Tom Latham, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single. |
| Oops... my bad. Missed the insert for Powerplay 3. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end. |
| 40.3 : A Nurse to K Williamson, A short ball, pulled straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 40.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Outside off, drive through the covers for a single. |
| 40.5 : A Nurse to Tom Latham, Comes down the track and drives it through the covers for one more. |
| 40.6 : A Nurse to K Williamson, FOUR! Off the outside edge. Landed outside off, Williamson looks to push but the ball flies off the outside edge through the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence! |
| Sheldon Cottrell returns. 6-1-27-2 so far. |
| 41.1 : S Cottrell to Tom Latham, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 41.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Outside off, chipped over cover for a run. |
| 41.3 : S Cottrell to Tom Latham, Around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 41.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for one. |
| 41.5 : S Cottrell to Tom Latham, OUT! Caught and bowled! Latham's misery ends. Faced 16 balls, scored just 12 runs and was totally struggling. This is not a pitch for new batsmen to come and straightaway play their strokes and the pressure was building on Tom to accelerate. A short ball, around middle, Latham looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. Gets a top edge which goes nowhere and is straight up in the air. Cottrell runs to his left, takes the catch and then gives the salute. West Indie |
| Jimmy Neesham walks in now. New Zealand need some big hits... |
| 41.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 42.1 : A Nurse to J Neesham, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 42.2 : A Nurse to J Neesham, On middle and leg, Neesham pushes this back down the ground but Nurse stops it to his left. |
| 42.3 : A Nurse to J Neesham, Finally pushes this past the bowler towards long on to get off the mark with a single. |
| 42.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, FOUR! Short and outside off, Williamson cuts hard and the ball races away. Substitute Fabian Allen runs to his left from deep backward point and dives but cannot get there! |
| 42.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 42.6 : A Nurse to J Neesham, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| 43.1 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 0.0 : Direct hit! Looks like Jimmy Neesham is well in. The umpire has referred it upstairs though. Hmmm... replays are confirming the same. |
| 43.2 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, SAFE AS A HOUSE. Full and outside off, Neesham pushes it towards mid off and sets off for a single. The fielder gets to his left and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end and appeals. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Neesham is well in. |
| Now, an umpire's review! Shai Hope has taken a brilliant catch diving to his left and the West Indies have appealed but the umpires have not given in. Now, they have a chat and refer it upstairs and the soft signal is OUT! Hang on... forget the edge, Shai Hope has not collected the ball! |
| 43.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, NOT OUT. Not quite sure whether there was any wood but Hope has put it down. A short ball, coming in, Williamson looks to tuck it to the leg side but is cramped for room. The ball takes the thigh, (perhaps the inside edge as well because our colleague Louis is adamant that it hit the inside edge) and then goes behind. Hope dives to his left and takes it and claims. The umpires get together, have a chat and then refer it upstairs with the SOFT SIGNAL AS OUT. Howe |
| 43.4 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, FOUR! Insult to injury. Short and outside off, Williamson hops back and punches it behind point for a boundary! |
| 43.5 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Gets across to paddle but misses. No wide signalled. |
| 43.6 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, SIX! What a way to end the over! Full and outside off, Williamson gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket! What an eventful over. |
| 44.1 : A Nurse to J Neesham, Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 44.2 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 44.3 : A Nurse to J Neesham, Full again, eased down to long on for a run. |
| 44.4 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Works this wide of mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 44.5 : A Nurse to K Williamson, FOUR! STUPENDOUS! This bloke can slog. Full and outside off, Williamson gets down and slogs it over mid-wicket, one bounce and into the fence! |
| 44.6 : A Nurse to K Williamson, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a couple. 11 from the over, 22 from the last 2. |
| Carlos Brathwaite returns. 3-0-20-0 so far. |
| 45.1 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, Excellent stop. Not sure we have seen that too much today. Full and outside off, Neesham drives this hard down the ground but Sheldon Cottrell at mid off throws himself to his left and makes a half-stop. Keeps the batsmen to just a single. |
| 45.2 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Foxed. Williamson backs away to the leg side and Brathwaite bowls it wide outside off. Willy cannot reach. |
| 45.3 : C Brathwaite to K Williamson, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers this time for a run. |
| 45.4 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, DROPPED, SIX! Actually, it is a fabulous effort. Full and around middle, Neesham finally connects one from the middle of the bat. The ball flies towards mid-wicket where Shimron Hetmyer rushes to his left and leaps. But while trying to take the catch, he realizes that he is going to touch the ropes. Parries it to the man running across from deep mid-wicket. The umpires check upstairs and replays show that while trying to parry the ball away, Hetmyer's foot was to |
| 45.5 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. |
| 45.6 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. 11 from this over as well, 33 in the last 3! |
| Sheldon Cottrell is back on. 8-1-42-3 so far. |
| 46.1 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, Full on middle, chipped over mid on for a single. |
| 46.2 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, Outside off, slower ball, short in length, Williamson looks to pull but misses. |
| 46.3 : S Cottrell to K Williamson, OUT! That is a stunning catch by Shai Hope! Williamson's innings ends. A terrific knock again, when his side was in the doldrums. A short ball, around middle, Williamson looks to pull but gets a massive top edge. The ball swirls in the air but Hope runs behind it, keeping his eyes on the ball. He turns almost 360 degrees but manages to take the skier. West Indies needed that wicket. Williamson departs for a fantastic 148. He is slowly but surely climbing the lad |
| Colin de Grandhomme arrives for the bash party. How much can this destructive duo add? Can the Kiwis cross 280? A bit of a drama first up. De Grandhomme comes in at the non-striker's end but an alert Ian Gould asks them to change ends, as he reckons that the batsmen did not cross. Wait. Now, Gould is informed that the batsmen did change ends, so de Grandhomme goes back at the non-striker's end. Smiles everywhere. |
| 46.4 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, A short ball, pulled wide of mid on for a single. |
| 46.5 : S Cottrell to de Grandhomme, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total. |
| 46.6 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, Outside off, a slash and a miss. Just 3 runs and a big wicket in that over, Cottrell's figures read 9-1-45-4. |
| 47.1 : C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a couple. |
| 47.2 : C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, WIDE. Very wide, too full outside off, almost kissing the wide guideline, de Grandhomme lets it go. |
| C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, FOUR! Full and wide outside off again, de Grandhomme reaches out and slices it over point. No one in the deep in that area and it is a boundary. |
| 47.3 : C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, Short and wide outside off, would have been a wide had it been left alone but Colin goes after it and gets it behind point again. This time for a brace. |
| 47.4 : C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, Landed outside off, dabbed towards third man for a run. |
| 47.5 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for one more. |
| 47.6 : C Brathwaite to de Grandhomme, SIX! Just over the man! Brathwaite is not happy as he reckons it should have been taken but it was a very, very difficult catch. Full and outside off, would have been a wide again but de Grandhomme reaches out and carves it over sweeper cover. Shimron Hetmyer stationed there, watches the ball, leaps at the right time but it is just out of his reach. Tough luck. Great attempt. |
| Cottrell in his final over. Can he get a 5-fer? |
| 48.1 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, OUT! RUN OUT! Colin de Grandhomme was a long way short. Sensational aim from Cottrell. A length ball down the leg side, Neesham looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and drops down to the leg side. Jimmy initially wants a run and hence, takes a couple of paces. Seeing that, de Grandhomme responds and charges in. But then, Neesham stops as he sees that Cottrell is charging in too and has got to the ball. Poor de Grandhomme has nowhere to go. He tries to |
| 0.0 : Mitchell Santner comes in at number 8, replacing de Grandhomme. |
| 48.2 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, Dropped short, pulled wide of mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 48.3 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, Around off, tapped to the off side for a run. |
| 48.4 : S Cottrell to M Santner, WIDE. A short ball down the leg side, Santner gets across and looks to pull but misses. |
| S Cottrell to M Santner, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for one. |
| 48.5 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, A length ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 48.6 : S Cottrell to J Neesham, FOUR! Finds the gap this time! A short ball, outside off, Neesham pulls it wide of long on and finds the boundary! 11 from this over, 28 off the last 2! No 5-fer for Cottrell, but he has had a decent outing. 10-1-56-4. |
| 49.1 : C Brathwaite to M Santner, Full and around middle, worked through long on for a single. |
| 49.2 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, Full and outside off, pushed to long off for just a single. |
| 49.3 : C Brathwaite to M Santner, Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket. Ashley Nurse runs to his right from deep square leg, dives and then parries it to Hetmyer running across from deep mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 49.4 : C Brathwaite to M Santner, SIX! Not a bad shot! A low full toss, down the leg side, Santner gets down and sweep-swings it over mid-wicket! |
| 49.5 : C Brathwaite to M Santner, OUT! Caught. Gone this time. A length ball outside off, Santner looks to pull this but is done in by the lack of pace. Gets a top edge which goes straight up in the air. Sheldon Cottrell runs back from mid off and takes the skier. |
| Matt Henry walks in. |
| 49.6 : C Brathwaite to J Neesham, OUT! Caught! Cottrell again! You cannot keep him out of the game, can you? Full and outside off, Neesham looks to go over mid off but the ball hits the toe end of his bat. Lobs straight to Sheldon Cottrell over there who jumps and takes it. NEW ZEALAND END ON 291/8! |
| Competitive score by the Kiwis. Could be match-winning, if the ball moves even 1 percent. Not a bad score at all, considering that they lost both their openers for a blob. |
| Whenever New Zealand are in trouble and they reach their hand out for help, one man puts his hand up. Kane Williamson, the skipper and probably their batsman of the modern era, once again showed why he is rated so highly. He came in on the very second ball of the innings, took his time, absorbed the pressure and then started to open up. He received good support from Ross Taylor and the duo's 160-run stand shored things up for a big total. |
| Taylor's dismissal gave the Windies some hope of a comeback but Williamson stood tall, punishing the bowlers. He ensured that the Kiwis do not lose their way and kept the scoreboard moving. That helped the team increase their run rate and the last 10 overs yielded 92 runs, for 5 wickets. |
| West Indies will be disappointed. They struck early, but then let slip of the control. Roach bowled superbly upfront while Cottrell was the main wicket-taker. The rest were ordinary while the fielding was poor as well. Here is the man of the moment, Sheldon Cottrell, giving an interview to Mike Atherton. |
| Sheldon Cottrell says that every time he gets down to the middle, he enjoys it to the fullest. On the available swing in the early overs, Sheldon says that even he was surprised and on seeing that, he gave his best. Adds that he is an opening bowler and hence looks to pitch it up with the new ball. States that when there is swing, he is very dangerous. On the fielding aspect, Cottrell says that everyone does the fielding drills during training but generally he enjoys everything he does. On the t |
| 292 to win then. The pitch looks good but may not be easy to time the ball straightaway. The batsmen need to take their time, settle in and then go play their shots. Does that apply to Chris Gayle or any West Indian batter though? Let's see... |
| Mike Atherton does a pitch report again. He says that the groundsman has told him that this pitch is not that firm as compared to the one which hosted the India-Pakistan game. Atherton feels that if there is some swing, which Cottrell found, then Boult will expose it to the fullest. He too, believes that this will be an interesting chase. |
| 0.0 : Welcome back for the run chase. The Kiwis are into a big huddle. Kane Williamson initially comes in but then realizes that the umpires have not arrived. He steps back, allows the Men In Red to step out and then follows them. Out come the West Indian openers - Chis Gayle and Shai Hope. How will they play out the new balls? Two slips in place. Trent Boult will start off proceedings. |
| 0.1 : T Boult to C Gayle, Just like Cottrell, Boult too gets swing first up. Bowls a very full ball. Almost a yorker on off, it swings away after pitching. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to C Gayle, Now follows it up with a very well directed short ball. Gayle ducks but it clips his shoulder onto the keeper. |
| 0.3 : T Boult to C Gayle, Outswinging full ball on the pads, Gayle defends it. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to C Gayle, Another beautiful ball. It is on a length now around off, Gayle looks to defend but the away swing beats him. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to C Gayle, Tidy and tight first 5 balls from Boult. It is once again full on the pads, Gayle defends it. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to C Gayle, Maiden to begin with. Back of a length ball on off, Gayle defends it with a straight bat to see off the over. |
| Matt Henry to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : M Henry to S Hope, Finally the chase is off the mark. Hope gets a length ball around off, he guides it down to third man and gets off the mark without wasting anytime. |
| 1.2 : M Henry to C Gayle, Good length ball outside off, Gayle shoulders arms to it. |
| 1.3 : M Henry to C Gayle, Full now. Once again it is outside off, Chris has nothing to do with it. |
| 1.4 : M Henry to C Gayle, Short this time. Gayle sways away from it. 9 dots for Gayle. |
| 1.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, Make that 10. Good length ball on off, Gayle pushes it to cover. |
| 1.6 : M Henry to C Gayle, Finally Gayle gets off the mark. Full on off, Gayle taps it towards third man and keeps the strike. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to C Gayle, Boult once again hits the length hard on middle. It swings away a hint. Gayle looks to defend but it goes off the outer half of his bat towards cover. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to C Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle defends it with soft hands towards cover and gets to the other end. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to S Hope, Outside off on a length, Hope looks to cut but it comes off the lower half of his bat. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to S Hope, OUT! Chopped on! The anchor of this West Indies innings is out of here. Boult has given his skipper an early breakthrough. Full outside off. This one does not swing at all. Hope looks to hit it on the off side but his feet go nowhere close to the ball and he ends up getting a big inside edge onto the stumps. Big blow this for West Indies. Hope has been one of their consistent and in-form batsman in this tournament. |
| Nicholas Pooran walks out at number 3. Just like New Zealand, West Indies number 3 has been called early on in the innings. |
| 2.5 : T Boult to N Pooran, Pooran starts his innings with a good, solid back foot defense. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to N Pooran, Another good over from Boult. Just a run and more importantly the big wicket of Hope. The last one is on a length on the body, Pooran tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 3.1 : M Henry to C Gayle, Short ball around the body, Gayle sits under it. |
| 3.2 : M Henry to C Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle pushes it to cover. |
| 3.3 : M Henry to C Gayle, On the pads, Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off the pads towards the fine leg region. The fielder mops it and in the meanwhile the batsmen take two. Leg byes signalled by the umpire. |
| 3.4 : M Henry to C Gayle, Short again. It is outside off, Gayle leaves it alone. |
| 3.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, Cut hard but straight to Santner at point. |
| 3.6 : M Henry to C Gayle, Full toss on off, Gayle does not make the most of it and just milks it towards mid off for one. |
| 4.1 : T Boult to C Gayle, Another excellent ball. Inswinging ball full on middle and leg. Gayle does well to flick it to square leg for one. |
| 4.2 : T Boult to N Pooran, Length delivery on top of off, Pooran defends it back to the bowler. |
| 4.3 : T Boult to N Pooran, Uppish but safe. This one is bowled outside off, Pooran slashes it hard but there is a man at third man so just a single. |
| 4.4 : T Boult to C Gayle, Play and a miss. Late and little away swing on this one. It is on a length outside off, Gayle has a poke at it but misses. The universe boss has not looked convincing so far. |
| 4.5 : T Boult to C Gayle, On off, Gayle taps it down to third man and gets to the other end. |
| 4.6 : T Boult to N Pooran, Full on off, Pooran defends it towards mid on and gets through the over. |
| 5.1 : M Henry to C Gayle, Another good bouncer! It is very close to the body. This ball has troubled Gayle in the recent past. He does not attempt any shot on this. |
| 5.2 : M Henry to C Gayle, FOUR! This is a poor ball from Henry. It is short and on the body, Gayle pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 5.3 : M Henry to C Gayle, SIX! Remember I said he is not looking convincing? Scrap that, he has destroyed this one out of the park. Overpitched on off, Gayle smokes it over the long on fence for a massive six. First one of the innings. |
| 5.4 : M Henry to C Gayle, WIDE! Back of a length ball way outside off. It is on the wrong side of the tramline. Latham does really well to dive to his left and stop the ball. It had 5 wides written all over it. |
| M Henry to C Gayle, Short again, this time Gayle pulls it to mid-wicket. |
| 5.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, Smartly bowled. Short again but Henry takes the pace off this one. Gayle is early in his pull and it hits him on his body. |
| 5.6 : M Henry to C Gayle, Outside off on a length, Gayle cuts it to the man at point. |
| 6.1 : T Boult to N Pooran, Fuller on the pads, Pooran tucks it to the man at mid on. |
| 6.2 : T Boult to N Pooran, OUT! Caught! Brilliant, brilliant short ball this from Boult. Boult bowls it close to the body. The ball rises onto Pooran. He looks to pull but is late in his shot. He ends up top edging it. The ball goes high in the air but does not go too far. Latham comes running in front and takes a simple catch, just like a high catch practice. Second wicket for Boult, just like Cottrell in the first innings he is doing a very similar job here. Maybe even better. |
| Shimron Hetmyer walks out to bat now. West Indies in deep trouble here. |
| 6.3 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, Full on middle and leg, Hetmyer tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.4 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Crispy way to get off the mark. Full on off, it is overpitched by Boult. Hetmyer flicks it stylishly through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 6.5 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, On middle and full, this time Hetmyer does not time his flick. He ends up hitting it uppishly over square leg for a couple. |
| 6.6 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, Dot to end the over. Good length ball on top of off and middle, Shimron defends it with a straight bat. 6 runs and a wicket off this one. |
| 7.1 : M Henry to C Gayle, IN THE AIR...DROPPED AND FOUR. Henry bowls it back of a length, Gayle looks to pull but gets a top edge. It flies to the right of fine leg towards backward square leg. Boult runs behind and towards his left. He puts in a dive to take the catch. He gets his finger tips on it but cannot hold onto it. He then tries to stop the boundary with another dive but misses. |
| 7.2 : M Henry to C Gayle, SIX! Dropped is followed by a six. This is a cruel game for the bowler. Short again, this time Gayle picks it and deposits it over long on fence for a mammoth six. |
| 7.3 : M Henry to C Gayle, SIX! Back to back sixes for the universe boss. Short around the body, Gayle hooks it this time over the square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 7.4 : M Henry to C Gayle, Once again it is a back of a length ball, Gayle pulls it but finds mid-wicket. |
| 7.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, WIDE! Bouncer bounces too high. It goes over Gayle's head and it has been wided. Pressure on Henry here. |
| M Henry to C Gayle, Now bowls a good length ball on off, Gayle punches it towards cover-point and takes a single. |
| 7.6 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, Good length ball on the stumps, Hetmyer calmly defends it. Massive over this. 18 runs off it. |
| 8.1 : T Boult to C Gayle, FOUR! This is just so, so harsh on the bowler. He bowls a perfect inswinging yorker on leg, Gayle looks to get his bat down but he is late. He takes off his back leg and the ball goes towards the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 8.2 : T Boult to C Gayle, Back of a length ball on off, Gayle defends it off the back foot. |
| 8.3 : T Boult to C Gayle, Full on middle and off, Gayle strokes it to cover. |
| 8.4 : T Boult to C Gayle, Length ball outside off, Gayle guides it wide of short third man and gets a single. |
| 8.5 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, Outside off and on a length, Hetmyer taps it to point. |
| WORLD CUP UPDATE - In an unexpected thriller in Southampton, Afghanistan have run India close, losing by just 11 runs. India defended 224 and won the game but Afghanistan won hearts. |
| 8.6 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, Full on off, Hetmyer drives it wide of mid off and keeps the strike. |
| First bowling change. Lockie Ferguson is been brought into the attack. He too has been amongst the wickets in this tournament. |
| 9.1 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Starts with a full ball on off, Hetmyer defends it off the front foot. |
| 9.2 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Pulls his length back slightly on off, Hetmyer defends it off the front foot. |
| 9.3 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Very full on off and middle, Hetmyer taps it back to the bowler off the toe end of his bat. |
| 9.4 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Pulled and pulled hard. Back of a length ball on off, Hetmyer picks the length early and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 9.5 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, In the air but safe. Back of a length ball on off, Hetmyer looks to pull but is early onto it. He top edges it but it falls in no man's land at long on. Santner runs in from mid on but cannot get there. Single taken. |
| 9.6 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, FOUR! Not a bad ball this but luck is in Universe Boss' favour. Ferguson bowls it very full on leg, Gayle turns it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| Powerplay 2 time! Now maximum of 4-fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle. |
| Jimmy Neesham is into the attack. |
| 10.1 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Starts with a good length ball on the stumps, Hetmyer blocks it. |
| 10.2 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Pulled with venom. Back of a length ball on off, Hetmyer pulls it over and wide of deep mid-wicket. Colin de Grandhomme gives it a chase but always knew he was going to come second best. |
| 10.3 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Length delivery on off, Shimron defends it to follow the boundary. |
| 10.4 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Back of a length ball on off, Hetmyer defends it off the back foot. |
| 10.5 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Another brilliant pull. Neesham bowls it short, Hetmyer picks the length early and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 10.6 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, FOUR! This is the best of the lot. Neesham goes full on off, Hetmyer gets on his front foot and plays a delicious cover drive for a boundary. |
| 11.1 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Back of a length ball outside off, Gayle looks to hit it but then decides to not tease it. |
| 11.2 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Good running. Yes, Gayle has run very nicely here. Good length ball on off, Gayle defends it with soft hands towards cover and takes a quick single. |
| 11.3 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Short on the body, Hetmyer pulls it to fine leg for a single. |
| 11.4 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, WIDE! Ferguson bowls it down the leg side. Gayle misses his flick and it has been wided. |
| L Ferguson to C Gayle, Back of a length ball on off, CG punches it wide of cover and takes a single. |
| 11.5 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Good length ball outside off, Hetmyer cuts it but finds point. |
| 11.6 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Fuller now outside off, Shimron swings his bat but misses. Latham dives to his left and does well. |
| 12.1 : J Neesham to C Gayle, Smart bowling this. Full and away from Gayle's body. Chris leaves it alone. |
| 12.2 : J Neesham to C Gayle, Good length ball and once again away from Gayle. He late cuts it towards third man for one. |
| 12.3 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Cut hard but fielded well as well. Good length ball outside off, Hetmyer cuts it with power to the right of point. Guptill there dives on that side and saves a certain boundary. Just a run taken. |
| 12.4 : J Neesham to C Gayle, On a length around off, Gayle punches it wide of cover for one. |
| 12.5 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Full on off, Shimron drives it straight to mid off. |
| 12.6 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Good length ball on off, Hetmyer pulls it obnoxiously towards mid on. |
| 13.1 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Bouncer! It is on the body, Gayle sits under it. He expected it to be wided but it is not. |
| 13.2 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Bouncer again. This one is on off, Gayle leaves it away. |
| 13.3 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Good length ball on the pads, Gayle flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 13.4 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Back of a length ball on off, Gayle punches it wide of cover and takes one. |
| 13.5 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, FOUR! That is hit with brute power. Short on off, Hetmyer clears his front leg and smacks it flat-bat over mid off for a boundary. |
| 13.6 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Full now from Lockie. It is on the pads, Hetmyer flicks it towards deep square leg and gets a single. He will keep the strike. |
| 14.1 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Good length ball outside off, Hetmyer for a change leaves it alone. |
| 14.2 : J Neesham to S Hetmyer, Back of a length on off, Hetmyer pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 14.3 : J Neesham to C Gayle, Outside off, Gayle lets it carry to the keeper. |
| 14.4 : J Neesham to C Gayle, Slower ball over middle and leg, Gayle looks to pull but misses it due to the lack of pace in it. |
| 14.5 : J Neesham to C Gayle, FOUR! Gayle gets to his fifty in style. Length ball outside off, Gayle likes the width on offer. There is no one at deep point so he smashes it over point. The fielder there leaps but it is over him. 53rd ODI fifty for Gayle. Is a big Gaylestorm incoming? |
| 14.6 : J Neesham to C Gayle, Now calmly leaves this ball. |
| Spinner into the attack. Mitchell Santner is into the attack now. |
| 15.1 : M Santner to S Hetmyer, Tosses it up on leg, Hetmyer flicks it towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 15.2 : M Santner to C Gayle, Floated on the pads, Gayle defends it back to the bowler. |
| 15.3 : M Santner to C Gayle, Yorker from Santner. Yes he bowls a yorker on middle. Gayle jams it out. |
| 15.4 : M Santner to C Gayle, Flighted on off, Gayle defends it towards point |
| 15.5 : M Santner to C Gayle, On the pads once again, Gayle glances it to the on side and rotates the strike. |
| 15.6 : M Santner to S Hetmyer, Straighter one but it is once again on the pads, Shimron nudges it towards fine leg for a single. West Indies need 200 off 204 balls. |
| DRINKS BREAK. The run rate has been pulled back a little by New Zealand but West Indies are going along nicely. Shimron Hetmyer has come out with a hit-out-or-get-out approach. Gayle though is batting sensibly. Matt Henry returns to bowl now. 4-0-32-0 so far. |
| 16.1 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, Good length ball on middle, Shimron taps it back to Henry. |
| 16.2 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Pulled with venom. 22 runs off Henry's last 7 balls. Back of a length ball on off, Hetmyer pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Make it 26 off 8 balls now off Henry's. Good length ball on middle and off, Hetmyer pulls it viciously through square leg now. 100 comes up with the boundary. |
| 16.4 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, Now punches it wide of cover and gets a single. |
| 16.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, Outside off, Gayle leaves it alone. |
| 16.6 : M Henry to C Gayle, Good length ball around off, Gayle punches it with minimal foot movement wide of cover for a single. 10 off Henry's comeback over. |
| 17.1 : M Santner to C Gayle, Short on off, Gayle taps it back to the bowler. |
| 17.2 : M Santner to C Gayle, SIX! Gayle is ready to bring the Gayle storm. Tossed up on middle and leg, Gayle smacks it over mid-wicket fence. Munro puts a brilliant dive outside the rope to pull it back but misses. |
| 17.3 : M Santner to C Gayle, DROPPED! Henry might have dropped the game here. Full toss on the pads, Gayle looks to hit it over square leg but does not get enough on it. Henry stationed there gets to the ball but misses a dolly. The batsmen take a single. |
| 17.4 : M Santner to S Hetmyer, Floated on off, Hetmyer punches it towards cover for a single. |
| 17.5 : M Santner to C Gayle, Floated on off, Gayle defends it off the front foot. |
| 17.6 : M Santner to C Gayle, IN THE AIR...AND DROPPED AGAIN. Once again Henry is the guilty party. Tossed up on off, Gayle heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket. Henry moves onto that side and looks to take it with a slide. He gets his hand to it but cannot hold onto it. The ball then bounces before the ropes and goes away for a boundary. |
| 18.1 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, Outside off, punched straight to point. |
| 18.2 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, The batsman has driven it straight down the ground. |
| 18.3 : M Henry to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 18.4 : M Henry to C Gayle, Outside off, driven straight to cover this time. |
| 18.5 : M Henry to C Gayle, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 18.6 : M Henry to C Gayle, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 19.1 : M Santner to S Hetmyer, Short on the body, Hetmyer pulls it to square leg for a single. |
| 19.2 : M Santner to C Gayle, SIX! Henry hide your face because Gayle is unleashing the beast here. Tossed up on off, Gayle demolishes it over the long on fence for a mammoth six. |
| 19.3 : M Santner to C Gayle, SIX! Back-to-back sixes. Santner bowls it short, Gayle gets on his back foot and smashes it over long on once again for a maximum. |
| 19.4 : M Santner to C Gayle, On the pads, Gayle flicks it but finds mid-wicket. |
| 19.5 : M Santner to C Gayle, Tossed up on middle and leg, Gayle milks it to long on for one. |
| 19.6 : M Santner to S Hetmyer, In the air...but safe. Tossed up on middle, Hetmyer looks to sweep but gets a top edge on it. It falls in no man's land at mid-wicket. Matt Henry had no interest going for the catch. 15 from the over! |
| Lockie Ferguson comes back on. 3-0-19-0 so far. |
| 20.1 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Yorker on middle and leg, Hetmyer jams it out. The ball hits his bat and then the pad. |
| 20.2 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, SIX! Hetmyer brings his fifty in style. Consecutive fifties for him. Lockie bangs it in short, Hetmyer picks it up early and deposits it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. His 4th in ODIs. |
| 20.3 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, On the pads, Hetmyer nudges it down the leg side for a single. |
| 20.4 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Slower bouncer on the body, Gayle was planning to leave it but then defends it. The ball falls on the side of the pitch. |
| 20.5 : L Ferguson to C Gayle, Good length ball around off, Gayle punches it wide of cover and takes one. |
| 20.6 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, Outside off, Hetmyer punches it to point. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is into the attack now. Williamson needs wickets, can CdG provide that? The keeper is up for him. |
| 21.1 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle defends it back to the bowler. |
| 21.2 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Length ball on off, Gayle punches it to cover. |
| 21.3 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Once again the length is the same, this time Gayle hits it to point. |
| 21.4 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle hits it back towards the bowler off the toe end of the bat. |
| Change of bats for Chris Gayle. The previous one has done its job. |
| 21.5 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, FOUR! The new bat is inaugurated with a boundary. Length ball outside off, Gayle cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 21.6 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Good length ball on top of off, Gayle defends it off the front foot. 4 runs off de Grandhomme's first. |
| 22.1 : L Ferguson to S Hetmyer, OUT! Bowled! Slower one has done the trick here. It is on a length on middle and leg, Hetmyer goes for a big heave on the leg side. He gets outfoxed by the slowness of the delivery and misses. The ball goes to hit the top of middle and off. Once again Hetmyer gets a start and fails to convert it. He will be disappointed. |
| 0.0 : West Indies skipper, Jason Holder walks out to the middle now. |
| 22.2 : L Ferguson to J Holder, OUT! Caught! Two in two now and Ferguson is on a hat-trick. Ferguson bowls it full and fast outside off, Holder looks to drive but gets a feather on it behind to the keeper. Latham dives in front and takes a very good low catch. Is this the turning point in this game. West Indies were cruising but now are in trouble. |
| Carlos Brathwaite walks out to face the hat-trick ball. We have seen a hat-trick today in the game between Afghanistan and India. Are we about to witness the other one now? |
| 22.3 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, No hat-trick but what a ball this is. Bouncer right on the body, Brathwaite looks to defend but gets hit on the glove. |
| 22.4 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, EDGE AND FOUR! This is another peach of a delivery here. Good length ball on off, the ball moves away after pitching. Brathwaite looks to defend but gets an outside edge. The ball falls short of Taylor at first slip. |
| 22.5 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Carlos defends it off the back foot. |
| 22.6 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Outside off on a length, Brathwaite cuts it to the man at point. |
| 23.1 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Good length ball outside off, Gayle cuts it to the man at point. |
| 23.2 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle strokes it towards cover. |
| 23.3 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, FOUR! Smart batting. De Grandhomme overpitches it on off, Gayle lofts it over mid off. Santner runs to his right and puts in a dive but cannot stop the ball from going to the fence. |
| 23.4 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Good length ball outside off, Gayle guides it towards third man. Lockie dives to his left and stops the ball from going to the fence. |
| 23.5 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, Back of a length ball on the body, Gayle pulls it towards backward square leg and gets a couple. |
| 23.6 : de Grandhomme to C Gayle, OUT! Gayle holes out! West Indies, West Indies, West Indies. What is happening? From 142/2 they are now 152/5. De Grandhomme bowls it full on middle, Gayle looks to smoke it over long on. He gets a lot of height but not the distance. |
| Ashley Nurse walks out to bat now. There is no news on Evin Lewis. Apparently he pulled his hamstring but as of now we have no news yet. |
| 24.1 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, FOUR! Gorgeous! Full on off, Brathwaite drives it effortlessly through covers for a boundary. |
| 24.2 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite defends it off the back foot. |
| 24.3 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Short on middle, Brathwaite looks to defend but the ball rises onto him and hits his glove. |
| 24.4 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, FOUR! Another beautiful shot from Carlos. Full outside off, Brathwaite drives it crisply through cover-point for a boundary. Only the third man in this innings to get to double figures. |
| 24.5 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite punches it towards cover and takes one. |
| 24.6 : L Ferguson to A Nurse, On the pads, Nurse flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets off the mark. He will keep the strike. |
| Mitchell Santner is back into the attack. He has been unlucky and expensive. 3-0-30-0 so far his figures. |
| 25.1 : M Santner to A Nurse, The arm ball, around off, Nurse is hurried into the shot as he looks to defend. The ball goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg. |
| 25.2 : M Santner to A Nurse, Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 25.3 : M Santner to A Nurse, Full and around off, Ashley looks to sweep but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 25.4 : M Santner to A Nurse, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| 25.5 : M Santner to A Nurse, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 25.6 : M Santner to A Nurse, Full and around off, watchfully blocked out. |
| Trent Boult is back into the attack. |
| 26.1 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, On middle, pushed through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.2 : T Boult to A Nurse, OUT! Gloved down the leg side! Boult strikes now. The wickets are falling like ninepins. What a collapse. 4/21 in 26 balls. A short ball, down the leg side, Nurse looks to pull but is cramped for room. He gets a glove onto the ball and Tom Latham dives to his left to complete the formalities. |
| He is finally here. Evin Lewis trudges out to the middle. How is his hamstring? Can he run properly? |
| 26.3 : T Boult to E Lewis, WIDE. A full toss, down the leg side, Lewis misses his flick. |
| T Boult to E Lewis, Outside off, Evin looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on the bounce to the keeper. |
| 26.4 : T Boult to E Lewis, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 26.5 : T Boult to E Lewis, OUT! Caught! Straight to the man. Lewis comes and goes. Another double-wicket over. A short ball, outside off, Evin swivels and pulls it. But straight to deep mid-wicket where Jimmy Neesham takes it easily. Lewis trudges back and New Zealand are on their way to a massive win. |
| Kemar Roach walks in next. |
| 26.6 : T Boult to K Roach, Full and outside off, pushed straight to point. 2 runs and 2 wickets from that over, Boult's figures read 6-1-18-4. |
| 27.1 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Shorter on off, Brathwaite punches it to the man at mid on. |
| 27.2 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Beautiful ball this. On off and spinning away, Brathwaite looks to drive but misses. Latham behind cannot collect it. |
| 27.3 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Floated on the stumps, Carlos defends it off the front foot. |
| 27.4 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, On off, Brathwaite strokes it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 27.5 : M Santner to K Roach, Flatter on the stumps, Roach defends it off the front foot. |
| 27.6 : M Santner to K Roach, On the stumps again, defended off the front foot by Roach. |
| 28.1 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Very nice bouncer. It is on the body, Brathwaite looks to defend but gets hit on the glove. |
| 28.2 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on off, Brathwaite defends it off the front foot. |
| 28.3 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Full on middle, Brathwaite pushes it to mid on. |
| 28.4 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Carlos defends it towards cover. |
| 28.5 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Full on off, Carlos nudges it wide of mid off and takes a quick single. |
| 28.6 : T Boult to K Roach, Back of a length ball on off, Roach does well to nudge it to sweeper cover and take one. |
| 29.1 : M Santner to K Roach, Shorter on off, Roach defends it to point. |
| 29.2 : M Santner to K Roach, Play and a miss. Floated outside off, Roach looks to sweep but misses. |
| 29.3 : M Santner to K Roach, Flighted on middle, Roach nudges it to long on and gets to the other end. |
| 29.4 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Flighted on off, Brathwaite pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 29.5 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Spin and bounce on this one. Short and pitching on off, it spins away from Brathwaite who looks to play but misses. |
| 29.6 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Floated on off, Brathwaite defends it off the front foot. |
| 30.1 : T Boult to K Roach, Good length ball on off, Roach strokes it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 30.2 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite defends it off the back foot. |
| 30.3 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Fuller on off, CB looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pad. |
| 30.4 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Short. It is on middle, Carlos sways away from it. |
| 30.5 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Full now on off, Brathwaite strokes it to mid off. |
| 30.6 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on off, Brathwaite guides it down to third man for a single. |
| 31.1 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, SIX! That was six the moment it left the bat. Tossed up on off, Brathwaite smokes it over the long on fence for a massive 96m hit. |
| 31.2 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Follows it up with a single towards mid off. |
| 31.3 : M Santner to K Roach, Floated on the stumps, Brathwaite defends it off the front foot. |
| 31.4 : M Santner to K Roach, SIX! Roach has joined the party now. Flighted on off, Roach smashes it over long off for a six. Second one of the over. |
| 31.5 : M Santner to K Roach, Flighted on off, Roach milks it to long off for one. |
| 31.6 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, On middle, Brathwaite nudges it down to long on and keeps the strike. |
| DRINKS BREAK. What a farce. From being fierce competitors at the 15th over, the Windies are going down very quickly. Just looks like a matter of time before the Kiwis wrap this up. This could end up improving their net run rate by leaps and bounds. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is back! 2-0-10-1 his figures so far. |
| 32.1 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on middle, Carlos defends it towards square leg and gets a single. |
| 32.2 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, Length ball on off and middle, it keeps low a bit. Roach does well to block it. |
| 32.3 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, On the pads, Roach looks to flick but it rolls off his pads towards square leg. They take a leg bye. |
| 32.4 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, Good length delivery on off, Brathwaite strokes it towards mid off and gets to the other end. |
| 32.5 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, On the stumps, defended off the front foot by Roach. |
| 32.6 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, On the stumps, Roach keeps it out. |
| 33.1 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Almost a run out. Full ball on off, Brathwaite drives it towards mid off and admires his shot. Roach was out for a single but Carlos sends him back. Williamson gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Roach was gone for all money. |
| 33.2 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, On the pads, Brathwaite flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.3 : L Ferguson to K Roach, Good length ball outside off, Roach guides it down to third man for a single. |
| 33.4 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, 5 WIDES! The bouncer bounces and goes over the batsman as well as the keeper. Latham puts in a full stretch but just cannot jump high. |
| L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Good length ball outside off, Carlos looks to cut but misses. |
| 33.5 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite defends it off the back foot. |
| 33.6 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Outside off, Carlos guides it down to third man and keeps the strike. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, FOUR! The required run rate falls under 6. It is a poor ball as it is on the pads, Brathwaite flicks it fine down the fine leg region for a boundary. 92 needed off 95 now. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, Follows it up with a single wide of cover for a single. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, On the stumps, Roach defends it off the front foot. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to K Roach, Length ball on the pads, Roach flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, Full on off, Brathwaite drives it straight back to the bowler. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to C Brathwaite, FOUR! The over started with a bad delivery and it ends with a bad one as well. Once again de Grandhomme bowls it on the pads, Brathwaite flicks it fine down the leg side for a boundary. 10 runs off the over. West Indies still in it. |
| 35.1 : L Ferguson to K Roach, On the stumps, Roach defends it off the front foot. |
| 35.2 : L Ferguson to K Roach, Good length ball on off, Roach defends it towards cover and takes a quick single. Santner gets to the ball and looks to have a quick shy at the stumps but he fails to gather the ball. |
| 35.3 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on the pads, Brathwaite flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single. |
| 35.4 : L Ferguson to K Roach, Full on off, Roach drives it beautifully but straight to Santner at cover. |
| 35.5 : L Ferguson to K Roach, On off, Roach cuts it to the man at point. |
| 35.6 : L Ferguson to K Roach, Good length ball on the stumps, Kemar defends it to see off the over. |
| Matt Henry is back! Has not had the best of days so far both with the ball and in the field. 6-0-43-0 his figures. |
| 36.1 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on off, Brathwaite defends it off the back foot. |
| 36.2 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, Brathwaite stands tall and punches it wide of cover for one. |
| 36.3 : M Henry to K Roach, Back of a length ball on off, Roach blocks it. |
| 36.4 : M Henry to K Roach, Bouncer! Roach ducks under it. |
| 36.5 : M Henry to K Roach, Short ball which rises onto Kemar. He does well to defend it. |
| 36.6 : M Henry to K Roach, Full on off and middle, Roach strokes it towards mid-wicket. |
| Mitchell Santner is back for another go. |
| 37.1 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Tossed up on off, Brathwaite strokes it towards cover and gets one. |
| 37.2 : M Santner to K Roach, Slower through the air on middle and leg, Roach defends it with a straight bat. |
| 37.3 : M Santner to K Roach, Floated on off, defended with authority by Roach. |
| 37.4 : M Santner to K Roach, Shorter on off, Roach guides it down third man for a single. |
| 37.5 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Shorter on off, Brathwaite looks to hit it past short third man but cannot do so. |
| 37.6 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Short on off, Carlos defends it off the back foot. |
| 38.1 : M Henry to K Roach, OUT! Caught! Finally something to relish for Henry. He has not had a good day in the field but he gets into the wicket column. Length delivery outside off, Roach looks to cut but gets an outside edge. Latham behind takes a regulation catch and Kemar's fighting innings comes to an end. The 47-run stand comes to an end. |
| 0.0 : Sheldon Cottrell is the new man in. He was terrific with the ball but can he deliver with the bat now? |
| 38.2 : M Henry to S Cottrell, Fuller on off, Cottrell blocks it off the front foot. |
| 38.3 : M Henry to S Cottrell, Back of a length ball on off, Sheldon defends it off the back foot. |
| 38.4 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, Good length ball on off, Brathwaite milks it towards mid off for a single. |
| 38.5 : M Henry to S Cottrell, Length delivery outside off, Cottrell guides it down to third man for a single. |
| 38.6 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, FOUR! Good length ball on off, Brathwaite looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge towards the third man fence for a boundary. |
| 39.1 : M Santner to S Cottrell, Flighted on off, Cottrell defends it off the front foot. |
| 39.2 : M Santner to S Cottrell, Sharp away spinner pitching on middle and leg, Sheldon looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge towards the vacant gully region. The man from slip cleans it up and they take a couple. |
| 39.3 : M Santner to S Cottrell, Flighted on off, Cottrell taps it back to the bowler. |
| 39.4 : M Santner to S Cottrell, On off, Cottrell pushes it to the man at cover. |
| 39.5 : M Santner to S Cottrell, Tossed up on middle, Cottrell looks to drive it on the off side but it goes towards deep mid-wicket off the inside edge and they take a single. |
| 39.6 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Driven through mid off by the batsman. They pick up a single. Ironically, New Zealand were 199/3 at this stage. West Indies are 23 runs ahead but 5 wickets behind. |
| Powerplay 3 signalled. Now 5 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle. Don't think this match will last till the 50th over. |
| 40.1 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 40.2 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Full on off, Cottrell drives it but finds the cover fielder. |
| 40.3 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Back of a length ball. It is slightly slow, Cottrell gets on top of the bounce and defends it towards cover. |
| 40.4 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Little bit of football action here. Good length ball on off, Cottrell defends it with soft hands towards the side of the pitch. He goes for a quick run. Santner from cover and Neesham, the bowler go for the ball. Santner takes down Jimmy with a sliding tackle. That would have been a red card in football. |
| 40.5 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, FIFTY FOR CARLOS BRATHWAITE! He is fighting a solo battle here. His 2nd in ODIs. He gets there courtesy an overthrow. Carlos strokes it towards cover and takes a single. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end allowing them to take the second and Brathwaite to reach his fifty. Are West Indies still alive? |
| 40.6 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Keeps the strike with a single down to third man. |
| 41.1 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, FOUR! Cut and cut fine. Short around off, Brathwaite cuts it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. Do not count West Indies out of this one. |
| 41.2 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Follows it up with a single towards cover. |
| 41.3 : M Santner to S Cottrell, Floated on the stumps, Cottrell defends it with a straight bat. |
| 41.4 : M Santner to S Cottrell, In the air but safe. Flighted outside off, Sheldon looks to smack it over covers but gets a big outside edge. The ball though falls short and wide of Boult at short third man. He does well to stop the ball as it was spinning away from him. |
| 41.5 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, Flatter on off, Brathwaite punches it wide of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple. The fielder shoots at the bowler's end but Cottrell was well in. |
| 41.6 : M Santner to C Brathwaite, On the stumps, Brathwaite defends it and looks for a quick single but Sheldon sends him back. |
| 42.1 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Full on off, Cottrell pushes it to the man at cover. |
| 42.2 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Short ball on off, Cottrell leaves it alone. |
| 42.3 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, FOUR! Very poor from Neesham. He bowls it on the pads to the number 10, Cottrell flicks it fine down the leg side for a boundary. |
| 42.4 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, FOUR! This looks to be Cottrell's day. A length ball outside off, Sheldon smartly guides it past the diving keeper, through the vacant slip cordon, towards the third man region for a boundary! |
| 42.5 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Bouncer! It is right on the body, Sheldon does well to defend it. |
| 42.6 : J Neesham to S Cottrell, Good length ball on off, Cottrell hits it to the man at point. 49 needed off 42. With the way Cottrell is batting, this match is not over yet, folks. |
| Trent Boult returns. Williamson needs him to strike desperately. Can he finish things off? 8-1-22-4 so far. |
| 43.1 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, On the pads, Brathwaite flicks it to square leg for a single. |
| 43.2 : T Boult to S Cottrell, Short on the body, Cottrell jumps and does well to block it. |
| 43.3 : T Boult to S Cottrell, Slower ball on off, Sheldon does well to defend it. |
| 43.4 : T Boult to S Cottrell, Back of a length ball on off, Cottrell taps it towards point and looks for a risky run but Brathwiate rightfully sends him back. |
| 43.5 : T Boult to S Cottrell, Slower ball on off, Cottrell defends it off the front foot. |
| 43.6 : T Boult to S Cottrell, Outside off on a length, Cottrell looks to run it down towards third man but misses. |
| Lockie Ferguson is back on! 8-0-51-2 so far. |
| 44.1 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Good length ball outside off, Brathwaite looks to hit but misses due to the slowness of the delivery. |
| 44.2 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Play and a miss. Good length ball outside off. It comes in after going past the stumps. Latham dives to his left and takes it on the full. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire is not interested. |
| 44.3 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Full on off, CB looks to play it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pad. |
| 44.4 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Outside off on a length, Brathwaite strokes it to point and takes a single. |
| 44.5 : L Ferguson to S Cottrell, Full on the pads, Cottrell looks to flick but it goes off his pad. Latham once again dives to his left and stops the ball. |
| 44.6 : L Ferguson to S Cottrell, OUT! Bowled! Full and straight on off, Cottrell looks to hit it but the ball goes between his bat and pad onto the off pole. The end looks near for West Indies. He hung in there well with Brathwaite. Can't criticize him but credit him for the fight he has shown. |
| Oshane Thomas walks out at number 11. Can he hang in there and support Brathwaite? |
| 45.1 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, FOUR! SMASH! Brathwaite has decided to free his arms now. He has to! A length ball outside off, Carlos clubs it via a pull, past the bowler, down the ground and to the long off fence! |
| 45.2 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Short again, pulled through mid-wicket, this time for a couple. 250 UP FOR WEST INDIES! |
| 45.3 : T Boult to C Brathwaite, Superb stop by Williamson! But should Brathwaite have taken that single? Full and outside off, Carlos looks to go over mid off but mistimes. Kane Williamson at mid off sprawls forward but cannot get to the ball. But manages to prevent it from going behind. Just a single. |
| 45.4 : T Boult to O Thomas, Well done. Good length ball on off, Thomas does well to defend it. |
| 45.5 : T Boult to O Thomas, Yorker! It is on off, Thomas does exceedingly well to get his bat down. Now he just has to bat one ball to get through the over. |
| 45.6 : T Boult to O Thomas, Thomas survives. Full on middle and leg, Thomas hits it straight to mid on. Boult finishes off with the figures of 10-1-30-4. He has had a brilliant day. |
| 46.1 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Refuses to take a single. Full on middle and leg, Brathwaite hits it to long on but does not run. |
| 46.2 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Good ball. Nice change of pace. It is on a length, Brathwaite swings his bat at it but misses. |
| 46.3 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, SIX! Connects and connects well this time. Full on off, in the slot for Brathwaite. He takes full toll of it and smokes it over long off for a maximum. |
| 46.4 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, On off, Brathwaite cuts it but straight to point. |
| 46.5 : L Ferguson to C Brathwaite, Short in length, Brathwaite pulls it to deep mid-wicket and takes a run. One ball for Thomas to negotiate. |
| 46.6 : L Ferguson to O Thomas, Full toss on off, Thomas takes no risk and just taps it back to the bowler. Sensible thought this. He does not need to be a hero here. |
| 47.1 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, In the air...but safe. Short on off, Brathwaite looks to pull but does not time it well. It goes towards backward square leg. The fielder from mid-wicket cleans it up but they take a couple. |
| 47.2 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, SIX! Can Brathwaite take his side home? Back of a length ball on off, Carlos flat bats it like a bullet over long on for a maximum. |
| 47.3 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, SIX! Fasten your seat belt, Brathwaite is on a mission here. Full toss wide of him, Brathwaite slices it over backward point for another maximum. 19 needed of 15 balls. With West Indies you just don't know what's going to happen. Even New Zealand. They have provided a lot of thrillers. |
| There is a mini-conference going on out there. Henry, Williamson, Boult and Santner are involved. Henry looks under immense pressure. Williamson is doing really well not to show any nerves. Just two men in the deep on the off side. Fine leg and third man are up. Will Henry bowl it full? |
| 47.4 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, SIX! Not full, but a full toss! Brathwaite is becoming the hero but dear me! Henry is becoming a villain here. He bowls a full toss on off, Brathwaite smokes it over long off for a maximum. |
| 47.5 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, FOUR! Edged! But who cares? 24 runs off the over. Henry bangs it in short, Carlos goes for the pull but top edges it over the keeper's head for a boundary. |
| 47.6 : M Henry to C Brathwaite, Smart batting. Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite hits it over point and gets a single. 25, I repeat 25 runs have come off this over. 8 off the last 12 needed. Out of nowhere West Indies are in the driver's seat now. |
| Jimmy Neesham to bowl the 49th over. 5-0-33-0 so far. Will there be a 50th? Will Carlos Brathwaite finish it off in this over itself? A century is there for the taking! |
| 48.1 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Good length ball outside off, Brathwaite punches it to cover. |
| 48.2 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Bouncer! It is away from Brathwaite. He looks to pull but misses. 8 off 10 needed. |
| 48.3 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Three dots in a row and now something has to give. Another bouncer outside off, Carlos misses his pull once again. |
| 48.4 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, 100 FOR CARLOS BRATHWAITE! What an innings this has been! His maiden one in ODIs but he knows the job is not done. Back of a length ball on off, Carlos pulls it to deep mid-wicket and takes a couple to bring up his century. The hero of the 2016 T20 World Cup might be the hero here as well. |
| 48.5 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, Slower ball outside off, Brathwaite looks to play it and then decides to leave it thinking it will be wided but it has not been. |
| 48.6 : J Neesham to C Brathwaite, SIX? NO! OUT! YES! Caught! Oh dear me! I don't know what to tell you! Boult has stunned the crowd here. Neesham bowls a slower bouncer outside off, Brathwaite looks to pull. It looks like, this is the end. It looks like West Indies have sealed the deal but NO! TRENT BOULT! He holds his nerve, keeps his calm and considering the situation takes a blinder at long on. He takes a very good catch just, just before the ropes. Brathwaite cannot believe it. He is down in |
| Unbelievable scenes at Manchester. How sporty are the Kiwis? They are not even celebrating. Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham are having a word with Brathwaite, consoling him. Well played, Brathwaite. But what a gesture by New Zealand. Hats off. |
| Spare a thought for Carlos Brathwaite. He is on his knees in disappointment, thinking what could have, what might have happened, had he got an extra metre on that shot. He slowly gets up now and starts shaking hands. What a game of cricket. What a day of cricket. A thriller at Southampton between India and Afghanistan and a thriller here. Wow. Just wow. |
| When 292 was set as the target, not many gave the Windies a chance. And when they were reduced to 20/2, those chances went even down further. But Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer stitched a 122-run stand for the third wicket and that revived the hopes. However, a collapse from 142/2 to 164/7, all but sealed the deal. Or did it? |
| Enter Carlos Brathwaite. Begin the fight. The never-say-die spirited man believed in himself and transferred the same onto his mates. First, he found an able partner in Kemar Roach, adding 47 for the 8th wicket, then got another 34 for the 9th, forming an alliance with Sheldon Cottrell. |
| Once the penultimate wicket fell, the big man took it upon himself to close the game. He started playing his shots but the killer blow came in the 48th over. Matt Henry was taken to the cleaners and he ended up conceding 25 and at that stage, it looked like the tables had turned. However, in the final moments, the big man could not quite take his team over the line. |
| Full marks to the Kiwi bowlers. For doing well under pressure. Boult rocked the Windies early but then the Caribbeans launched into a counter-attack. being under the pump, the Black Caps found a way to come back again with wickets of the middle order. Once again, the game felt like going away before they held their nerve at the very end. Trent Boult was back at his best, with 4/30 in his 10 overs while Lockie Ferguson took 3. Matt Henry took a pounding and he will be thanking his stars that his |
| KANE WILLIAMSON HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Smiles on being asked about his heart rate and says that the West Indies are an unbelievable side. Admits that the Kiwis did not get the best of starts with the bat, crediting the Windies bowling but then believes that himself and Ross Taylor stitched a partnership. Is happy to finish on the right side. On the pitches in this tournament, Williamson says that from where they started, the tracks have got a lot slower and it feels nice to be adap |
| West Indies skipper, Jason Holder, says that he is disappointed with the result but is proud of his team. Praises Chris Gayle for setting the tone. On the game overall, Holder is proud of the fight shown but also believes that one or two moments in the game could have been seized properly and the game could have been won. Blames the collapse in the middle order for the slipping of the momentum. Praises Roach and the tail for fighting hard. On the upcoming games, Jason wants to win all the matche |
| Victorious New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, admits that Trent Boult took a wonderful catch to seal the game but also admits that there were a few dropped catches today. Analyses the game as a brilliant one, with sixes bringing the run rte required down, then wickets pushing it back up before more sixes rained in. Praises his bowlers for their performance and just credits the West Indies batsmen as well for clean striking. Puts down this match as a massive learning experience. Kane says that |
| Right then! Another double header comes to an end. Two thrillers to boot. India beat Afghanistan at Southampton while New Zealand managed to shake off a powerful West Indian resurgence. The caravan moves to Lord's next where Pakistan take on South Africa in match 30 at 10.30 am local (0930 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
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