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In the battle of the T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts, West Indies registered a convincing win over USA at Kensington Oval, Barbados. After a clinical bowling display to bowl out USA for 128, Shai Hope’s electrifying knock helped them chase down the target with 55 balls to spare. The big win helped West Indies boost their net run rate (NRR) and keep the chances of reaching the semifinals alive. On the other hand, with their second loss in Super 8, USA are all but out of the semifinals race.
USA lose control
Earlier, Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to field first. Andre Russell in his first over got the wicket of opener Steven Taylor. Andries Gous attacked in the powerplay over. He smashed Alzarri Joseph for the first six of the innings in the sixth over. He was dropped by Akeal Hosein in the same over. USA were 48/1 after powerplay overs. In his first over, Gudakesh Motie dismissed Nitish Kumar lbw. He scored 20 runs from 18 balls. Aaron Jones hit Joseph for a monstrous 101 metre six before getting out to a short ball. Gous contributed with a 16-ball 29 cameo.
Dull finish
Roston Chase was introduced into the attack and he delivered with Aaron Jones' wicket. USA were 69/4 at the halfway stage. After few quiet overs, Chase capitalised and got Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh's wickets off consecutive deliveries. The 18th over bowled by Russell turned out to be eventful. Shadley van Schalkwyk hit a boundary before a mix-up led to Milind Kumar's run out. Then Shalkwyk was caught at deep point. In the penultimate over, Nosthush Kenjige lost his wicket to Joseph. In the final over, Russell dismissed Saurabh Netravalkar for a four-ball duck as USA were bowled out for 128.
Hope goes bang-bang!
Chasing a non-threatening target of 129, West Indies openers were cautious against in-form Netravalkar in the first over. The first six of the innings was hit by Hope in the second over. While Charles took his time, Hope smashed fours and sixes in the powerplay overs. After six overs, West Indies were 58 for no loss. In the seventh over, Hope reached his fifty from 26 balls with a six and justified his place in the side in the absence of an injured Brandon King. Harmeet broke the opening partnership with the wicket of Charles. He scored 15 runs from 14 balls.
Finishing with a flourish
In the ninth over, Hope smashed Milind for three consecutive sixes. Nicholas Pooran joined the party in the next over with a maximum off Van Schalkwyk. Netravalkar was brought back into the attack but Pooran hit him for two consecutive sixes. Hope finished the run chase with a six as West Indies won by nine wickets with 55 balls to spare. Hope smashed eight sixes and seven fours from his 39-ball 82. On the other end, Pooran contributed with a 12-ball 27.
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