On this day, June 12, 2024: Sherfane Rutherford magical knock helps West Indies beat New Zealand in 2024 WT20. It was the 26th match of the 2024 T20 World Cup between New Zealand and West Indies. The stage was set and it was a crucial fixture for both teams. West Indies were put into bat first and New Zealand bowlers put on a masterclass with the new ball as West Indies were reduced to 21/5. Trent Boult started things off as he picked up the wicket of Charles for a duck in the opening over.
Tim Southee from the other end picked up the wicket of Pooran and Rovman Powell as West Indies were in all sorts of trouble losing half their side within the powerplay. Sherfane Rutherford came into bat and consolidated things for West Indies. He started slowly and built partnerships. However, New Zealand kept chipping away with the wickets in the middle overs which put immense pressure on the West Indies side.
Sherfane Rutherford went all guns blazing in the death overs as he smashed 68 runs from just 39 balls and helped West Indies post a total of 149 in the first innings. This was a really good score considering there was enough help in the surface and West Indies managed to recover brilliantly from the initial blow in the powerplay. The match was set up nicely at the halfway mark of the innings.
Chasing the target, New Zealand started well but Alzarri Joseph came into the attack and picked up four wickets to dent the chase. Glenn Phillips scored 40 runs but no other New Zealand batter could get going and in the end West Indies managed to restrict them to 136/9 and won the match by 13 runs. Sherfane Rutherford was the player of the match for his outstanding knock.
