MANCHESTER, England – New Zealand moved to the brink of the World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling five-run victory over West Indies on Saturday after Carlos Brathwaite’s magnificent century almost produced a highly unlikely comeback win for the Caribbean side.
Chasing 292, after skipper Kane Williamson’s fine 148 for New Zealand, West Indies were well poised at 130 for two after 20 overs but never recovered from the loss of Shimron Hetmyer (54) and Chris Gayle, who made 87 including six sixes.
West Indies collapsed to 164 for seven and looked out of the game until Brathwaite led a rearguard action, bringing back memories of his sensational performance in the 2016 World Twenty20 final.
Brathwaite’s power-hitting, including nine fours and five sixes and a 41-run 24-ball last-wicket partnership with Oshane Thomas who did not score, put West Indies within five runs of victory.
But on the final ball of the penultimate over, Brathwaite went for the big hit, only for his drive off Jimmy Neesham to find Trent Boult’s hands at deep mid-on and the West Indies batsman collapsed to his knees.
The win moved unbeaten New Zealand to the top of the table with 11 points and left West Indies staring at likely elimination in seventh place with three points.
And with that thrilling win, New Zealand go atop the #CWC19 standings!#BackTheBlackCaps | #WIvNZ | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/evoqMUqVpW
Summarised scores: New Zealand 291-8 in 50 overs (Kane Williamson 148, Ross Taylor 69, James Neesham 28, Colin de Grandhomme 16, Tom Latham 12, Mitchell Santner 10; Sheldon Cottrell 4-56, Carlos Brathwaite 2-58). West Indies 286 in 50 overs (Carlos Brathwaite 101, Chris Gayle 87, Shimron Hetmyer 54 , Sheldon Cottrell 15, Kemar Roach 14; Tim Boult 4-30, Lockie Ferguson 3-55). New Zealand won by five runs.
