West Indies won the toss and opt to bowl
The West Indies will be pretty pleased with this bowling effort, that’s half the job done. A 129 should not be much of a challenge for their batters, not on this wicket at least. After being put into bat, USA lost Taylor early but they had a decent powerplay. Gous and Nitish Kumar looked pretty good while they were at the crease but once that partnership was broken, there wasn’t anything of substance thereafter. Roston Chase ran through the middle-order with three wickets and the USA couldn’t really recover from that damage. A couple of boundaries from Ali Khan late in the piece definitely helped the cause but it still leaves them with just 129 to defend against a powerful West Indies batting line-up.
Andre Russell: It felt good, we know how important this game is. It’s good to start the first 20 with a positive note. Happy with the total and hope that the batters can get it as quickly as possible. From the last game, we talked about a few things we went wrong and areas we can improve on. Definitely seen improvement, we as a bowling unit stand up in meetings and I tell the bowlers to bowl their best ball at all times. If a batter plays a good shot, then don’t panic. We showcased our talent tonight in terms of our bowling. I am happy with how we kept calm. We restricted them to a good total. Wicket isn’t that bad, it’s coming on nicely to the bat. Confident with our batters.
STAT: 3/19 are Roston Chase’s best bowling returns in T20Is, coming at a venue where he also achieved his best figures in Tests: 8/60 vs England in January 2019.
A clinical performance from West Indies. Just what the doctor ordered after that heavy loss against England a couple of nights ago. It was a win that was setup by their bowlers. USA started the game brightly but post the powerplay, they were pegged back by Roston Chase who claimed 3/19. Russell got three wickets as well as USA could only muster 128 runs. With a modest chase on the cards, West Indies had an eye on net run rate from the get go. Their auxiliary opener Shai Hope, who came in place of the ruled-out Brandon King, made the most of his opportunity as he registered his highest ever T20I score. He attacked Kenjige and Ali Khan in the powerplay, getting to a fifty in no time. Johnson Charles also tried to get going from the other end, but holed out against Harmeet Singh. However, there was no stopping this West Indian onslaught. Hope got a hat-trick of sixes against Milind Kumar to kill off the contest. Then Pooran slammed a couple of sixes off Netravalkar post drinks to finish off the game with more than 9 overs to spare. In a chase of 129, West Indies managed to hit 11 sixes and 7 fours, thumping through with their brute force
Roston Chase | Player of the match: My best figures, to do it at home is a great feeling with all my friends and family watching. We spoke about it in the team meeting that it’s our job as spinners to restrict them if they go well in the powerplay. Today I wasn’t having the best of days, I almost missed the bus. Great place to play cricket here, it’s a great stadium and the fans are always around. Our is to go and win this World Cup, we need to beat anyone in front of us.
Most sixes in a T20 WC innings
11 – Chris Gayle (WI) vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2016
10 – Chris Gayle (WI) vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007
10 – Aaron Jones (USA) vs CAN, Dallas, 2024
8 – Rilee Rossouw (SA) vs BAN, Sydney, 2022
8 – Nicholas Pooran (WI) vs AFG, Gros Islet, 2024
8 – Shai Hope (WI) vs USA, Bridgetown, 2024
Most sixes in a T20 WC edition
17 – Nicholas Pooran (2024)
16 – Chris Gayle (2012)
15 – Marlon Samuels (2012)
15 – Shane Watson (2012)
412 sixes in the T20 WC 2024, the most in a single edition, surpassing 405 in 2021.
Aaron Jones: Tough night for the boys. We had to score about 170-180 today. In the middle overs, we lost wickets in clusters, it goes like that sometimes. At the end of the day, we needed runs on the board. We tried to go hard with the ball but we know West Indies are a good batting unit. England will be a good game, we are up for a challenge. Need to rest up and get ready for Sunday. Thanks for the fans and their support, for supporting me personally and also the team.
Rovman Powell: It’s very special, Kensington brings back special memories for us. We had a great opportunity to come out and play some good cricket. (On Roston Chase) He plays really well, plays a role very well. Keeps things tight. On a good surface, he bowled really well. (On Shai Hope) He’s been fantastic, he got a chance against Afghanistan but was dropped next game against England in St Lucia because of the combination. However, he was hungry for a good performance. It (WI vs South Africa) should be a top game, we are up for the fight. We got a full house here to support us, that’s all we can ask for.
A reality check for USA after they were in dreamland for a while after that group stage performance. West Indies have given themselves a huge shot in the arm for making it to the semis with this thumping win.