ICC World Cup 2019: Match 29, Windies vs New Zealand – Best Memes from the Match

What a doubleheader Saturday it has turned out to be of this World Cup! While Afghanistan gave a run for their money to India in a last-over thriller, Windies were just one hit away from doing the unthinkable. Rather they reached to that stage from being 164/7 due to Carlos Brathwaite. Remember the name! The man played it very smartly and deserved to be the winning side. But cricket is such a cruel sport. It let him enjoy his century and then left Brathwaite heartbroken with Trent Boult taking a catch right at the cusp of the boundary in a huge anti-climax.

Earlier in the day, it was Kane Williamson who ruled everyone’s heart. The Kiwi skipper came out to bat with his team struggling at 0/1 and it soon became 7/2 in the first over of the game itself. Williamson joined hands with Ross Taylor to build the innings then. The duo stitched a century stand for the umpteenth time for New Zealand. The Windies bowlers were brilliant at the start but gave away runs after the first 15 overs with the conditions easing out.

Both the experienced notched up their respective half-centuries and the partnership also blossomed. With no bowler troubling the batsmen, Jason Holder brought Chris Gayle into the attack and the Universe struck gold by sending back the dangerous Taylor. Soon Tom Latham also got out to put his team in trouble yet again. But Williamson didn’t deter. He was once again determined to keep the scoreboard ticking.

He upped the ante in the death overs as well and eventually got out to 148 off 154 with 15 fours and a massive six. The Kiwi captain only got out in the 47th over of the innings after which Colin de Grandhomme played a good little cameo of 16 runs off 6 balls to propel New Zealand 291 runs for the loss of 8 wickets after 50 overs.

Heartbreak for Brathwaite and Windies

Windies also got off to the worst possible start losing their in-form batsmen Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran for a run each. They were struggling at 20/2 in the seventh over when Chris Gayle was joined by Shimron Hetmyer in the middle. The duo ripped apart the opposition bowling by smashing the ball to all the parts of the ground. Gayle had luck on his side today and batted superbly to keep his team in the hunt.

He took a special liking to Matt Henry and then Mitchell Santner to cross the 50-run mark in style. Meanwhile, Hetmyer also played some attractive strokes and crossed his half-century. They added 122 runs for the third wicket in less than 16 overs and they looked like finishing the game quickly. But Lockie Ferguson, like he has done all tournament, struck at the right time to bring his team back in the hut. While Hetmyer scored 54 runs, Holder got out for a golden duck to leave the Windies in tatters.

Chris Gayle, at the other end, looked solid and destined to score a century. But Colin de Grandhomme dismissed him to turn the game on its head. The injured Evin Lewis also followed him soon as the Caribbeans collapsed from being 142/2 to 164/7 in a matter of five overs. From here on, Carlos Brathwaite played smartly with the tail to keep the chase on track.

He took first Kemar Roach by his side to add 47 runs and then Sheldon Cottrell amazing courage to hang around. Brathwaite took calculated risks to get to his half-century and looked determined. Cottrell, however, couldn’t stop Ferguson from leaving his stumps in a mess. It went down the wire in the end with 32 needed off the last three overs thanks to Oshane Thomas who showed grit to hang around.

It was Brathwaite’s day and the man put his heart and soul to try and win the game for his side. He pummelled Matt Henry for 25 runs in the 48th over to make the Windies favourites but he died by the sword by trying to hit a six and finish the game. Nevertheless, it was just a sensational knock from Brathwaite but ended up on the losing side. Windies fell short of the target by just five runs in the end as New Zealand, like India, remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Here are some of the best memes: