Needing a win desperately to stay alive in the T20 World Cup, Hope was reinstilled into the West Indies’ ranks, as Shai Hope’s unrelenting 82* steered the hosts to a dominant 9-wicket win over co-hosts USA in the Super Eight on Saturday.
WI skipper Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to bowl first, and he would have been mighty pleased with his choice, as both the pacers and spinners ran riot through the ranks of the USA with ease.
After losing opener Steven Taylor to Andre Russell early, USA did well to dig themselves out of the pit they put themselves in, with the help of Andries Gous and Nitish Kumar, who put up a solid stand to end the powerplay strong.
But, it would all go to hell after the introduction of Motie and more importantly, Roston Chase into the bowling attack.
Chase, particularly, brought down hell on the USA batters, restricting their flow of runs as well as going on to clinch two wickets in a row, to annihilate the middle-order.
A handful of spirited outings from the likes of Milind Kumar and Shadley van Schalwyk ensured that the Americans breach the 100-run mark effectively.
But, it was all about pace in the later overs, as both Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell toyed with the lower order to pick them off one-by-one, before ultimately bowling them out for 128 runs with one ball left in the innings.
Well, it was nothing short of business for West Indies’ batters, who made light work of the USA’s bowling attack.
Shai Hope, promoted up the order in the absence of Brandon King, definitely proved his worth, as the hard-hitter lit up the Barbados skies out the gate.
Hope’s fiery innings of 82* from just 39 balls was peppered with 4 fours and 8 sixes, as the aerial route was his choice for the day.
Hope took on every bowler sent his way, taking them down the ground, and over the boundary line at will, as a deflated USA threw everything they had at him.
Netravalkar, Harmeet, Kenjige, Ali Khan, all of them were pummelled for boundaries at will, as they merely operated as Hope’s muses.
USA found solace in removing Johnson Charles but, it only brought in Nicholas Pooran, who himself went on a blitzing 27* off 12 balls, pairing with Hope in the best way possible as the West Indian finished things off with a smashing six to seal the deal for the home side in less then 11 overs.
Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.
Comments
0 comment