Sherfane Rutherford’s maiden T20 World Cup half-century proved decisive as the West Indies beat New Zealand 13 runs in the Group C match in Trinidad on Thursday to qualify for the Super Eight stage rummybo.
The 25-year-old’s brilliant 68 off 39 balls, which included 6 sixes and 2 fours, enabled the co-hosts post 149/9 in their 20 overs after reeling at 30 for 5 at one stage.
He single-handedly took on the Kiwi bowlers, scoring 37 off the last two overs.
New Zealand, who were beaten by Afghanistan in their opening match, face an early exit from the T20 World Cup.
In reply, New Zealand failed to get any partnership going and were all out for 136/9 with Alzarri Joseph taking 4/19 in four overs, while spinner Gukadesh Motie claimed 3/25. Glenn Phillips top-scored with a 33-ball 40, which included 3 fours and 2 sixes.
New Zealand got off to a poor start and lost both their openers — Devon Conway (5) and Finn Allen (26) — in the Powerplay.
Thereafter, left-arm spinner Motie foxed the Kiwi batters in the middle overs, finishing with a match-turning spell of 3/25 in four overs, before pacer Alzarri Joseph turned on the heat with his four-wicket haul.
Motie dismissed Rachin Ravindra after he ended up flicking straight to Russell at deep midwicket. He got Kane Williamson caught behind after he got an edge trying to play the cut shot.
Glenn Phillips kept the Kiwi hopes alive with his 33-ball 40 before being dismissed by Joseph rummy bo.
New Zealand needed 33 runs from the last over bowled by Joseph as Mitchell Santner smashed three sixes off the first four balls but a slow start meant they eventually fell short by 13 runs.