New Zealand on brink of elimination after defeat to West Indies at T20 World Cup

New Zealand is on the brink of elimination at the group stage of the men’s T20 World Cup after falling 13 runs short of West Indies’ target at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The co-hosts recovered from a horror start as Sherfane Rutherford came to the rescue with an unbeaten 68 to build a total of 149-9 that proved to be enough for victory on Wednesday night local time.

West Indies then restricted New Zealand to 136-9 in the chase as Alzarri Joseph claimed four wickets and Gudakesh Motie took three, to seal a third consecutive win and a spot in the Super Eight stage. New Zealand have lost both of their T20 World Cup matches so far and would need to defeat Uganda and Papua New Guinea while hoping that other results go their way to leapfrog Afghanistan and snatch a spot in the next phase.

The Black Caps were on top early as their fast bowlers took four wickets in the powerplay then James Neesham added another in the next over to have West Indies reeling at five for 30. Rutherford then led the fightback in critical stands with Akeal Hosein (15), Andre Russell (14) and Romario Shepherd (13), before playing a lone hand in the dying stages.

West Indies were nine down for 112 when Joseph was bowled by veteran pacer Trent Boult with the fifth ball of the 18th over, but Rutherford took charge of the last two overs to blast 37 crucial runs. The left-hander reached his highest T20I score with a boundary off the last ball of the innings, to finish on 68 not out from 39 deliveries with six sixes and two fours.

“It was a good innings,” Rutherford said between innings. “Playing a World Cup match is a dream, that is what we live for. I’m just happy to contribute.

“It was a very tough surface to bat on. My plan was to bat deep, I was telling the bowlers that even if we just get singles, it all adds up. 149 is a brilliant score on this wicket.”

New Zealand made a bright start to their chase as Finn Allen (26) went after the West Indies’ attack. But once fellow opener Devon Conway (5) was the first to go with the score on 20, the Black Caps’ middle order was unable to build another significant partnership as they slumped to six down for 85 in the 16th over.

Glenn Phillips (40) helped keep New Zealand’s hopes alive but once the all-rounder fell with 41 runs still to get from 14 deliveries the result was all but assured. A late cameo from spinner Mitch Santner, with three sixes in his 21 not out, lifted New Zealand to 136-9.

“The quality of Sherfane’s innings was high,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “The batting depth in their side was beneficial for sure.

“We cannot make excuses, we just 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 it’s important that we pick ourselves up and go again.”

Afghanistan will join West Indies in progressing from group C to the Super Eight if they beat Papua New Guinea to make it three wins out of three on Thursday night local time. New Zealand face Uganda the following night but by then their campaign could be over to end their streak of reaching at least the semi-final stage at the past three men’s T20 World Cups.