Rutherford, Motie Lead Windies to Victory Over England
In a stunning display at the T20 World Cup, the West Indies secured a convincing 30-run victory over England. Sherfane Rutherford emerged as the star, smashing an impressive 76 runs off just 42 balls, including seven sixes. His performance helped the West Indies achieve a formidable total of 196 runs in their Group C clash in Mumbai.
Key Performances and Match Highlights
West Indies faced early challenges, losing both openers within the first seven balls. However, Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase stabilized the innings, contributing 23 and 34 runs, respectively. Rutherford’s explosive batting solidified their momentum as he formed a key partnership with Jason Holder. Holder added 33 runs from 17 deliveries, including four sixes, pushing the team’s score close to 200.
England’s Struggles Against Spin
England, captained by Harry Brook, started their innings with promise but quickly found themselves in trouble. After scoring 30 runs, Phil Salt was dismissed in the fourth over. The spin bowlers from West Indies proved difficult to handle, with Gudakesh Motie leading the charge. He recorded impressive figures of 3 wickets for 33 runs, stifling England’s batting order.
- Phil Salt: 30 runs
- Jos Buttler: 21 runs
- Sam Curran: 43 not out
Despite a valiant effort from Sam Curran, who remained not out at 43, England couldn’t recover and finished their innings at 166 runs in just 19 overs. This defeat left England sitting third in Group C, trailing behind Scotland, a team they had struggled to defeat in their previous match.
Match Statistics
| Team | Total Runs | Wickets Lost |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 196 | 6 |
| England | 166 | 10 |
Reflecting on the match, Brook expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s never nice to lose a game, but West Indies played outstanding.” He acknowledged the challenges of chasing a total that did not play out as expected, citing the lack of dew on the pitch.
This match marked a significant triumph for the West Indies, showcasing their depth in spin bowling and powerful batting, raising hopes for their pursuit of another T20 World Cup title.
