New Zealand beat West Indies by 5 runs.
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.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 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. (Reuters)
In chase of a challenging 291 for eight set by New Zealand, West Indies had lost two quick wickets in their must-win game at Old Trafford in Manchester today. New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult struck twice early in the innings to see West Indies struggling at two wickets for 20 after 6.2 overs. After that, the Windies regrouped through an unbroken 51-run third-wicket stand between Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer. West Indies are now batting on 75 for the loss of two wickets after 12 overs.
New Zealand post 291 for eight
New Zealand posted 291 for eight against the West Indies at the Old Trafford in Manchester today.
A magnificent 154-ball 148 from skipper Kane Williamson helped New Zealand reach a challenging total after losing two early wickets. New Zealand had lost both their openers in the very first over to two brilliant yorkers from West Indies quick Sheldon Cottrell. After that, Williamson and Taylor scripted a valiant 160-run third-wicket stand to steady the ship. Although Taylor was dismissed after scoring 69 off 95 deliveries in the 35th over, Williamson went on to smash a back to back ton in the World Cup. The right hander however fell to a Cottrell delivery in the 47th over. Cottrell has been the top performer for the West Indies on the day. After taking two early wickets, the right-arm quick ended the innings with impressive figures of four for 56 in his 10 overs that also saw a maiden. Aside from the four wickets, Cottrell also ran Colin de Grandhomme out in the penultimate over of the innings.
Williamson hits consecutive ton
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson reaches his century off 124 balls against West Indies in Manchester today.
After losing two early wickets, New Zealand were left in a spot of bother in their game against West Indies at the Old Trafford. However, New Zealand recovered through a 160-run third-wicket stand between Williamson and Ross Taylor. Although Taylor fell to a Chris Gayle delivery in the 35th over, Williamson went on to pick up his second ton of the tournament after hitting an impressive unbeaten 106 against South Africa in their last outing. With Williamson currently batting on 106 off 130 balls accompanied by Tom Latham who is on six off eight deliveries, New Zealand reached 187 for three after 39 overs.
Kiwis consolidate after early slump
Skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor steadied the ship after New Zealand had lost both their openers -- Martin Guptill and Collin Munro -- to two lethal yorkers from West Indies quick Sheldon Cottrell in the very first over of the game in Manchester today.
A 70-run unbroken third-wicket partnership between the duo restores stability in the New Zealand innings. The West Indies bowlers had kept things tight initially after a brilliant start. However, Williamson and Taylor remained cautious and held onto their wickets. The duo now seems more comfortable in the middle with runs coming more easily. New Zealand are now batting on 90 for the loss of two wickets after 21 overs.
Kiwis struggling after early slump
West Indies got off to brilliant start in their must-win encounter against New Zealand today in Manchester. West Indies right-arm quick Sheldon Cottrell started off the proceedings by removing Kiwi opener Martin Guptill in the very first ball of the innings. A brilliant yorker that took Guptill by surprise but was initially given not out by umpire. However, Jason Holder went for the review and the ball was seen hitting leg stump and Guptill had to walk off without scoring. Cotrell then went on to dismiss Collin Munro with another inswinging yorker and this time no review or appeal required as the ball went through Munro's bat and pad and rattled his stumps. Since then West Indies bowlers have kept things tight as the two batsmen on the pitch -- Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor -- remained cautious. New Zealand are now batting on 43 for the loss of two wickets after 13 overs.
West Indies opt to bowl against Kiwis
West Indies have won the toss and elected to bowl first in their must-win encounter against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester today.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson informed that they are taking the field with an unchanged side from their last game against South Africa on June 19.
"No doubt the surface will remain pretty similar throughout, but important to do the job first up. We know without a doubt the threat West Indies pose, they've got world-class players and can beat anyone. We've already played on a variety of surfaces in this tournament and will have to adapt today again. You just try to play what's in front of you. If it is a high-scoring affair, you just have to put up a good score. There were thoughts (about changing) but at the moment the team remains the same." said Williamson at the toss.
Meanwhile, Jason Holder, West Indies captain informed that there are three changes in the squad.
"We know what's at stake, everybody is up for the game. We've just got to bring our A game. We haven't been consistent with the bat, ball or in the field. Three changes. Darren Bravo, Andre Russell, Shannon Gabriel aren't there, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite and Kemar Roach come in." said Holder.
Playing XIs:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (capt), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas
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