We saw fantastic knock from Sherfane Rutherford and he timed it beautifully: Rovman Powell

The West Indies and New Zealand took on each other in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 clash at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. After a top-order collapse, it was Sherfane Rutherford's spectacular unbeaten 68 off 39 balls that helped his side reach 149/9.

His heroics proved the difference as the West Indies successfully defended that total, restricting the Kiwis to 136/9, and winning the game by 13 runs. Skipper Rovman Powell lauded Rutherford's fantastic knock and believes that his knock gave the side confidence at the halfway mark to win the game.

"We told the guys that somebody has to play a blinder. It wasn't going to be an easy wicket because of the inclement weather. We always believe that individual brilliance in T20 cricket is needed some time and Sherfane's innings was a fantastic knock. It gave us confidence and at the halfway mark, we believed," Powell said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"The margins in the match are fine and in conditions like that, two or three balls where the match-up suits, that can be the difference. We saw a fantastic knock from Rutherford and he certainly timed it beautifully and got his match-up. I think at the end of the day, that was the difference," he added.

Also read: Top 10 Memes from WI vs NZ, Match 26

I did a lot of work and planning: Sherfane Rutherford

Rutherford won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant innings and credited the chat with the former West Indies skipper Daren Sammy which helped him build his innings and take the game to the very end.

"I was in the IPL for two months, so you know I was preparing [there] even though I wasn't playing. I did a lot of work and planning. Keeping it simple and backing myself - that was the key. I was just telling myself to take it deep. Me and [Daren] Sammy had a talk and he said: 'try and take it deep'. The deeper I went, I started feeling momentum and I thought I could always make up in the end," said Rutherford.

Powell and Co. were in deep trouble after being asked to bat first, collapsing to 22/4 in the powerplay. Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, and Powell fell cheaply. At that stage, a competitive total looked highly unlikely against the potent New Zealand attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson.

However, Rutherford took on the responsibility and played a brilliant counter-attacking innings. He initially steadied the ship, getting his eye in before cutting loose at the death.

Also read: WI vs NZ, Match 26 Highlights: Unmissable video recap, turning points, match analysis, stats, and more

The 19th over from Daryl Mitchell went for 19 runs as Rutherford smashed three massive sixes. He then took on the experienced Mitchell Santner in the final over, striking two fours and a six to finish with a career-best 68 not out.

With the ball, the Caribbean seamers backed up Rutherford's efforts superbly. Alzarri Joseph was the pick with 4/19 as the Black Caps fell well short despite a fighting 40 from Glenn Phillips.