World Cup 2019: Carlos Brathwaite congratulates Kiwis for being victors as Ross Taylor appreciates the Caribbean

On Saturday, June 22, the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester was a witness to a superhuman effort from Carlos Brathwaite. After the fall of the seventh wicket, the Windies found themselves in the shambles against New Zealand, who is one of the unbeaten teams in the 2019 World Cup. However, the 30-year-old batsman had other ideas, and he put his head down with his team in grave danger.

First, he put on a stand of 47 runs with Kemar Roach and kept the Caribbean team in contention for a victory. After Matt Henry got rid of Roach, Sheldon Cottrell joined Carlos in the middle. But Lockie Ferguson castled Cottrell in the 45th over to make the Black Caps favourites to win the match. With the Windies needing 45 runs and one wicket in hand, Brathwaite didn’t allow the pressure to mount.

Brathwaite’s exploits goes in vain

After Trent Boult and Ferguson, two of the Kiwis’ gun bowlers, finished their quota, Brathwaite laid into Henry in the 48th over and his onslaught brought his team right back into the game. In fact, he hammered 25 runs in that over and brought the target down from 33 to eight. In the first five deliveries of the 49th over off James Neesham, Brathwaite could only manage a couple of runs.

Brathwaite also raced away to his maiden international century and took his team to the threshold of victory.  The last over turned out to be deja vu for the big man. Neesham churned out a short-pitched delivery and Brathwaite tried to clear the long-on boundary. But he couldn’t quite make a proper connection and a cool-as-a-cucumber Trent Boult took an incredible catch to help the Kiwis prevail.

Thereafter, Ross Taylor was seen going and consoling Brathwaite, who was absolutely distraught after not being able to chase down 292 in 50 overs. Taylor, who got 69 in that game, also lauded Brathwaite for the jaw-dropping exhibition of hitting. He took to Twitter and wrote, “What a game! Super hitting @TridentSportsX @cricketworldcup #cwc19 @ Emirates Old Trafford,”

Here is Taylor’s tweet

What a game! Super hitting @TridentSportsX @cricketworldcup #cwc19 @ Emirates Old Trafford https://t.co/CUCkcHRqsW

— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) June 22, 2019

In the meantime, the Windies all-rounder was touched by Taylor’s gesture. Expressing his gratitude, Ricky replied to Taylor’s message and wrote, “Congrats to you boys, well played Thanks for the gesture at the end, appreciate it,”

Here is Brathwaite’s reply

Congrats to you boys, well played
Thanks for the gesture at the end, appreciate it ????????

— Carlos Brathwaite (@TridentSportsX) June 23, 2019