James Neesham posts a funny tweet after ending Carlos Brathwaite storm in Manchester

Two-time champions West Indies generated a lot of hope ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019, thanks to a battalion of big hitters in their team who were showing their mettle at various leagues. However, after a terrific beginning to the tournament with a 7-wicket win over Pakistan, the Caribbeans have only gone downhill.

On Saturday, they had a heart-breaking five-run loss against table-toppers New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester, and it has almost put them out of the race for the semi-finals. Chasing 292 to win, Carlos Brathwaite took the Caribbeans almost home after they were 9 down for 245.

Coming in at No.6, Brathwaite played steadily on one side as wickets kept tumbling on the other. When Sheldon Cottrell was bowled in the 45th over, hopes were all but over for the former champions. But Brathwaite did not give up still and kept on taking New Zealand’s bowlers to the cleaners. He added 41 runs in less than four overs with N0.11 Oshane Thomas who defended everything that came at him.

Brathwaite’s mammoth hitting (he hit three consecutive sixes off Matt Henry in the 48th over) took the West Indies within the striking distance of a win. The Caribbeans needed only eight in the last two overs and Black Caps captain Kane Williamson tossed the ball to James Neesham who had given 31 off five at that point of time. Neesham, the all-rounder who took a fifer against Afghanistan earlier in the tournament, was not given to bowl against South Africa in the following match. Against the Windies, he was back in action.

Neesham bowled an excellent second-last over to Brathwaite

He conceded just two runs in five balls and then bowled a short ball at the middle. Brathwaite, who had just completed his maiden ODI hundred, attempted to pull it but ended up slicing it. The ball went flying, giving an impression to the West Indies fans that an incredible win was just about to get registered.

But it was not to be. Trent Boult, who was fielding nearby, leaped and held on to the catch. He deserved a massive pat on his back for coming up with such a clean act under pressure. The West Indies lost their remaining wicket with an entire over to spare.

Neesham, who is known for his funny takes on the social media, posted a tweet asking, “Was that ball in the air for 25 seconds or was it just me?” Clearly, the bowler was feeling the butterfly inside his stomach. The fans also lauded Neesham for his excellent show with the ball in a pressure situation.

Was that ball in the air for 25 seconds or was it just me? ????

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) June 22, 2019