The timing of Sherfane Rutherford’s knock was impeccable, as we witnessed: Rovman Powell

At the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, the West Indies and New Zealand faced off in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Sherfane Rutherford made a remarkable unbroken 68 off 39 balls to assist his side reach 149/9 following a collapse of the top order.

By successfully defending that score and holding the Kiwis to 136/9, the West Indies won the match by a margin of 13 runs, thanks to his valiant efforts. The team’s captain, Rovman Powell, praised Rutherford’s outstanding knock and feels that it provided them the confidence they needed to win the game halfway through.

“We informed the boys that one of them needed to play a blinder. The bad weather meant that it would not be an easy wicket. Sherfane’s innings was excellent, and we always think that in T20 cricket, individual brilliance is sometimes necessary. Powell was cited by ESPNcricinfo as saying, “It gave us confidence and at the halfway mark, we believed.”

“The match’s margins are acceptable, and in circumstances like that, the difference could lie in two or three balls where the match-up suits. Rutherford gave us a terrific knock, and he timed it perfectly to get his match-up. “I believe that ultimately made a difference,” he continued.

I worked hard and made a lot of plans: Sherfane Rutherford

Due to his outstanding innings and ability to carry the game to the very finish, Rutherford was named Player of the Match. He attributed his success to his conversation with former West Indies captain Daren Sammy.

“Even though I wasn’t playing, you know that during my two months in the IPL, I was preparing. I put forth a lot of effort and preparation. The secret was to keep things straightforward and to support myself. I was simply urging myself to think it through. After our conversation, [Daren] Sammy advised me to “try and take it deep.” Rutherford stated, “The further I went, the more momentum I felt and the belief that I could always make up in the end.”

Having been asked to bat first, Powell and Co. were in serious difficulty when they collapsed to 22/4 in the powerplay. Powell, Nicholas Pooran, Johnson Charles, and Brandon King all fell for pennies. Against the formidable New Zealand attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson, a competitive total was improbable at that point.

Rutherford, on the other hand, assumed accountability and produced an outstanding counterattacking innings. Before letting go of the death, he first stabilised the ship and got his eye in.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: WI vs NZ, Match 26 Highlights

Rutherford blasted three enormous sixes in Daryl Mitchell’s 19th over, which yielded 19 runs. Then, in the last over, he faced up against the seasoned Mitchell Santner, hitting two fours and a six to finish with a career-high 68 not out.

Rutherford’s efforts were amply supported by the Caribbean seamers with the ball. Despite Glenn Phillips’ valiant 40, Alzarri Joseph was the pick with 4/19 as the Black Caps came up short.