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Kiwis Survived Caribbean Scare

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Update: 2019-06-23 11:12:20
Kiwis Survived Caribbean Scare

ICC World Cup 2019 Match No 29 Played at Old Trafford on 22 June 
New Zealand Vs West Indies 
Brief Score Card 

New Zealand 291/8 ( KS Williamson 148, LPRL Taylor 69, JDS Neesham 28, SS Cottrell 4/56, CH Braithwaite2/53) beat West Indies 286 All Out ( CH Braithwaite 101 , CH Gayle 87 , SO Hetmeyer 54 , TA Boult 4/30, LH Ferguson 3/59) by 5 runs.

Player of the Match: KS Williamson

In breath taking thrilling encounter New Zealand survived a strong West Indian challenge in a high scoring exciting match at Old Trafford Manchester.  The match went to wire with West Indies hotly chasing the victory target. New Zealand posted a challenging 291/8 batting first. Strong West Indian response of 286 all out fells just 5 runs short. With their 11 points from 6 matches Kiwis looks secured for a place in the semi final come what may in the remaining matches. West Indies mission 2019 with only 3 points from 6 matches is virtually over. In the remaining 3 matches they can only tilt the balance. 

New Zealand innings ran into immediate crisis as SS Cottrell in the very first over removed both the Kiwi openers Guptill and Munero before they even opened their account. From there on two champion Kiwi batsmen Williamson and Taylor applying all their experience resurrected the situation and laid solid foundation with a fluent 160 runs third wicket partnership before Taylor 69 was picked up by occasional spinner Gayle. Taylor playing second fiddle to his captain struck 7 fours in his 95 ball innings.

Williamson went on in his merry way defying the Caribbean attack. He got very little support from the middle order. Yet batting deep he scored 148 in 154 deliveries. His innings featured 14 fours and a six.

New Zealand posted a challenging score of 291/8. With a strong pace bowling attack against inconsistent West Indian batting Kiwis thought of an easy sailing.

But a person called CH Gayle is like a sleeping volcano which erupts often without prior notice. He canned Kiwi bowlers in his 84 balls 87 smoking 8 fours and 6 sixes. Perhaps he was in a big hurry which made him loose his wicket to Grandhomme. After blasting Boult, Henry and Ferguson he was looking good for yet another century. If he could West Indian response could be much smoother. His partnership with Hetmeyer produced bright 122 runs in the 3rd wicket after Hope and Pooran got out cheaply. 

Holder even could do nothing. When Gayle also departed it was all left to Braithwaite. What a wonderfully aggressive innings he played. Playing with late order batsmen and tail enders he continued playing eye pleasing aggressive strokes and almost won the match single handed. His 82 balls 101 contained 9 fours and 6 sixes. West Indies was just one stroke away when Boult took his catch inches inside the fence off Nisham . West Indies lost the thriller by 5 runs.

With this narrow win 2015 losing finalist looks safe with 11 points from 6 matches. Other than India they are the only unbeaten team of the tournament. 

Guptill and Munero have not done much so far. Wiallamson and Taylor are doing most of the runs against top teams and in the knock out others have to contribute. New Zealand would also need Ish Sodhi joining the attack as wickets have started gripping and turning a sun has started baking them. 
New Zealand is a beautiful country of wonderful people. The Rugby made country in all world cup play strongly till knock out stage. Only last year they appeared in the final at MCG. This year they were not fancied. Yet playing to full potential they have reached the present stage. It is to be seen whether they retain enough gas to go all the way. 

West Indies have no possibility now to proceed with only three points from 6 matches. But they can still crash the dreams of a team or two in their remaining matches. It is sad that Universe Boss would not be seen again in World stage after this world cup. His power hitting and customary celebration would be sadly missed. 

BDST: 1107 HRS, JUNE 23, 2019
RS


 

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