West Indies (130/1) made a strong comeback in the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup as they dismantled USA (128/10) by 9 wickets. With this victory at the Kensington Oval on Saturday, the co-host reignited their hope for a semifinal berth after a hiccup against England earlier in the week.
Put into bat by Rovman Powell, the USA was restricted to 128 runs courtesy of some ferocious bowling from Andre Russell (3/31), Alzaari Joseph (2/31), and Roston Chase (3/19). Shai Hope’s masterclass batting (82/39) then clinched the game for West Indies, wrapping it up with 55 balls to spare.
USA started well, gathering a good 46 runs in the powerplay. But once West Indies introduced their spinners, runs started drying up and Roston Chase decimated their batting lineup. In the end USA could manage only 128 years at the loss of 10 wickets.
Shai Hope then rose to the occasion, aided by Nicholas Pooran (27/12) to notch up a convincing victory for West Indies. The big win was imperative for the Windies to enhance their NRR. It also changed the equation of their group standing.
Despite six consecutive wins and being a Group 2 topper, even South Africa is not guaranteed a semi berth yet. A loss against West Indies in their next match could throw them out of the Top 2. But for that to happen, England must win big against the USA and the NRR will come into play.
Defining Moments of the Match
Trio’s Breakthrough
After a steady start of 46 runs in the powerplay for one wicket, USA seemed poised for a formidable total. West Indies needed a resurgence, courtesy of Joseph, Chase, and Motie. In a pivotal four-over stretch post-powerplay, they snared three crucial wickets, shifting the momentum. 
Chase’s Crucial Intervention
Despite a slowdown in mid-overs, the USA’s lower order harbored hopes for a strong finish. Roston Chase obliterated these aspirations in the 14th over, dismissing Harmeet Singh (0/1) and Corey Anderson (7/15). This over proved decisive, extinguishing USA’s hopes.
Russell and Joseph’s Denouement
Following Chase’s middle-over heroics, Russell and Joseph delivered the final blows. Renowned for his batting prowess, Russell showcased his bowling ferocity, partnering with Joseph to dismantle USA in the concluding overs, restricting them to a meagre score.
Hope and Charles’ Commanding Start
With the game tilted heavily in their favour, West Indies required a solid chase foundation. Shai Hope and Johnson Charles (15/14) provided just that. Their 58-run powerplay stand set the stage for an emphatic display of power hitting.
Pooran’s Decisive Blitz
A substantial victory margin was imperative for West Indies to keep their semifinal dreams alive. Following Charles’s dismissal, Pooran took charge, amassing 27 runs off 12 balls to secure a comprehensive win.
With a superior NRR in the Super 8, West Indies must now overcome South Africa in their final game to clinch a semifinal berth. Their bowling unit, rebounding splendidly after a lacklustre performance against England, now readies for the June 23 clash against England. Parimatch odds favour West Indies at 1.95x. Meanwhile, USA, now out of the running, aims to upset England, with Parimatch odds at 8.88x.
