West Indies out-gun England in World Cup showdown

West Indies played the perfect game to conquer England in a blockbuster contest at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The margin of victory by 30 runs at the Wankhede in Mumbai on Wednesday night (Indian Time) kept West Indies at the top of Group C with four points from their two matches following the resounding victory over Scotland last Saturday.

The heroes for West Indies were left-hander Sherfane Rutherford who scored a match-winning half century and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who took a magical three-wicket haul; Rutherford made 76 not out as West Indies reached a challenging 196-6 off their 20 overs.

It was his career-best score and came off 42 balls with seven massive sixes. He added a crucial partnership with Jason Holder which took the score from, 128-5 in the 15th over to 189-6 in the final over. Holder made 33 off 17 balls with four sixes.

In the second half Motie bamboozled the English batters with a clever combination of wrist spin and singer spin. He ended with 3-33 off his four overs, the highest being a diving caught-and-bowled to dismiss skipper Harry Brook. He was well supported by Roston Chase, who grabbed 2-29 from his four overs to back up his knock of 34.

In the day’s opening match, South Africa held off Afghanistan in a dramatic double super over as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj held his nerve in the second ‘shoot-out’ over. It was one of the most amazing finishes in the history of international cricket.

The run out of Fazalhaq Farooqi ended Afghanistan’s chance to win it in regulation with two balls to spare, with his team finishing 187 after 19.4 overs chasing South Africa’s 187-6. That meant it had to go to a super over – twice.

In the second game of the day, an injury-depleted Australia beat Ireland by 67 runs in their first game of the competition in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Aussies were the latest starters playing their first game on the fifth day and 14th match of the tournament. Travis Head stood in as captain after Mitch Marsh was ruled out after he was hit in the groin in practice earlier in the week and Cricket Australia issued a statement just before the game saying scans showed internal testicular bleeding.

Australia made 182-6 helped by a top score from Marcus Stoinis, who made 45 off 29 balls. Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw made 37 runs each. In reply Ireland was restricted to 115 for nine in 16.5 overs and captain Paul Stirling did not return to bat after he retired hurt. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis did the biggest damage for Australia claiming four wickets for 12 runs while leg spinner Adam Zampa grabbed 4-23. (PS)

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