West Indies dominated USA in the battle of the T20 World Cup 2024 co-hosts at Kensington Oval, Barbados. After bowling out USA for 128, Shai Hope's unbeaten 39-ball 82 helped West Indies win with 55 balls to spare to skyrocket their net run rate (NRR) which will prove to be crucial for their semifinal chances. But Roston Chase was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ as he bagged three wickets and conceded just 19 runs in his quota of four overs. After the nine-wicket win, Chase revealed that he almost missed the team bus to reach Kensington Oval, Barbados.
“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,” Chase said in the post-match presentation.
Captain lauds Chase
Skipper Rovman Powell lauded Chase for providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
“He plays really well, plays a role very well. Keeps things tight. On a good surface, he bowled really well,’ Powell said.
Chase’s spell in middle overs
Chase was introduced in the 10th over of the innings. USA were 65/3 and Aaron Jones, Corey Anderson were looking to stitch a partnership. He got the wicket Jones with his first ball. Jones went for a slogsweep and got beaten by pace as the ball crashed into the stumps. In his second over, he conceded five singles. Chase continued and struck twice off consecutive deliveries. First Anderson got out lbw as he was caught plumb on the back foot. On the next ball, Harmeet Singh handed an easy catch for Johnson Charles at backward point. In his last over, he conceded the only boundary of his spell.
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