T20 World Cup 2024: West Indies vs New Zealand, 26th Match - Who Said What?

New Zealand lost their second consecutive game in the 2024 T20 World Cup, as the West Indies emerged victorious by 13 runs on Thursday, June 13, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to field first on a spicy pitch. The New Zealand seamers wreaked havoc inside the powerplay, as they sent back half the West Indies side for just 30 runs inside the first seven overs. While things looked gloomy for the co-hosts of the marquee event, their lower-order batters added some crucial runs under pressure. Especially, Sherfane Rutherford, who has kept the experienced Shimron Hetmyer on the bench, batted with composure and batted deep into the innings.

New Zealand bowled out their frontline pacers inside the first 18 overs and Rutherford made them pay thereafter. The last two overs from the Blackcaps yielded 37 runs as Rutherford slammed four sixes and two fours against Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner. The southpaw eventually finished on 68* off 39 balls, adding 37 off 13 deliveries with Gudakesh Motie for the 10th wicket. Trent Boult was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/16 in his four overs. The two-time champions finished on 149/9 in their 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand lost Devon Conway cheaply, as his dismal form continued with the bat. Finn Allen played some attacking strokes before being dismissed for a 23-ball 26. Gudakesh Motie bowled an excellent spell to dismiss Rachin Ravindra, Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell before they could get going. Glenn Phillips played a lone hand, scoring 40 off 33 balls. However, he was dismissed in the 18th over to effectively end New Zealand's hopes of a win. Santner hit three sixes in the last over to reduce the margin of defeat as the semifinalists of the 2022 World Cup finished on 136/9. Alzarri Joseph ended with figures of 4/19 in his four overs.

This loss has severely dented New Zealand's hopes of reaching the Super Eight stage of the marquee event. They have two defeats in as many matches. Meanwhile, the West Indies became the first team to qualify from Group C.

Also Check: Most Wickets T20 World Cup 2024

West Indies vs New Zealand, Match 26 - Who Said What?

Sherfane Rutherford, Player of the Match:

 I want to thank God for the opportunity. (On scoring 68 and his jersey number also being 68) I am going to keep 68 close to my heart. (On his preparation for the tournament) I was in the IPL for two months, so I was preparing, even though I was not playing. I did a lot of work and did my planning. Keeping it simple and backing my skill - I think that was the key. (On his thought process tonight) I was just telling myself to take it deep. Me and Sammy had a talk and I knew if we got momentum, I could make it up in the end. Looking at their bowling line-up, I knew they were short of two overs. I knew they had to make up those overs and I wanted to maximise it. (On making the Super Eight) It is one tick in the box, but it is only the start of something big to come. Hopefully we can continue the momentum.

Kane Williamson, losing captain:

(On their powerplay bowling) It was good. We had an inkling that it was going to be tricky if you hit an area, and that proved to be the case. On these surfaces, you have to find a way and an over or two can be the difference. The quality of Sherfane's innings was high. The batting depth in their side was beneficial for sure. We knew there were going to be some tough overs there. We tried to take the aggressive option to take wickets. (On Santner's ability to bowl to left-handers) We know that and we have full trust in that. We saw how tricky it was when you hit the wicket and we were certainly trying to execute as well as we could. The margins are small, 2-3 balls here and there, and the score can get up high. (On their lack of preparation) You get the prep that you get and you do as well as you can. You have to get your head around the conditions. We cannot make excuses and have to find ways. We need to bounce back quickly. We are back on in a couple of days and we want to see better and smarter performances. The effort was there, and important that we pick ourselves up and go again.

Rovman Powell, winning captain:

Very happy (with the performance). From the outside, we told our guys someone will have to play a blinder (because of how the pitch could be due to inclement weather) We always believe individual brilliance is needed. That (Rutherford) innings gave us confidence and belief. We watched what they did well and tried to replicate it. Hard length was difficult (to get away). We sat down as a bowling length and decided to hit a hard length, with the spinners trying to spin the ball. (On bowling the spinners early) You have to use what you have. We don't have as many fast bowlers as NZ. We have three spinners, so have to push them as much as I can. (On the crowd support) It was fantastic. I was sitting there with Nicholas and it was such a beautiful night for someone to stand up and be counted. Unfortunate some of our batters could not but glad to get the win.