'Sherfane's innings was the difference, quite frustrating for us’ - Kane Williamson reacts after poor showdown against WI

New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign took a major hit with a 13-run defeat at the hands of West Indies in Trinidad. The Kane Williamson-led side is at the bottom of the Group C points table and only a miracle can shake things up for them to qualify for the Super 8. 

In their match against West Indies, New Zealand were in control of the game in the first innings. Their pace department looked ruthless with the new ball as West Indies were reduced to 30/5 at one stage. They looked clueless in the middle and that’s when Sherfane Rutherford played one of his best knocks. Under pressure, the 25-year-old smacked 68* runs off 39 deliveries as West Indies posted 149 runs on board.

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New Zealand had no hero like Rutherford who could take the game home. Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner contributed during the chase but it wasn’t enough in the end. After the defeat, skipper Kane acknowledged that Sherfane’s innings was the difference and it was quite frustrating for them.

“We had an inkling it would be quite tricky if we hit an area and that proved to be the case. The quality of Sherfane's innings was the difference, incredibly impressive and quite frustrating for us. The batting depth from their side was quite beneficial, we took the aggressive option to take the wicket and T20 is a game of small margins and unfortunately did not work out that way,” Williamson said in the post-match presentation.

Williamson explains mindset behind handing Santner last over

Mitchell Santner was handed the final over in the first innings, which arguably put New Zealand under pressure. He leaked 18 runs in the over, which gave momentum to West Indies. Explaining his mindset behind handing Santner the final over, Williamson said that it’s a matter of small margins and they can’t make excuses about conditions.

“We know that and we have full trust in that, the guys did that well in the first 12 overs but as I said it's small margins and two three balls in an over can go big and the score can be above par. You get the prep and do what you can. Conditions here are what they are and we can't make excuses,” Williamson said.