CARLOS BRATHWAITE hit a heroic hundred – but missed out on completing a famous World Cup win by INCHES. The West Indies looked dead and buried when they fell to 245-9 chasing New Zealand’s 291-8 at Old Trafford. But Brathwaite took 25 RUNS off Matt Henry’s 48th over – including three successive sixes – to […]
CARLOS BRATHWAITE hit a heroic hundred – but missed out on completing a famous World Cup win by INCHES.
The West Indies looked dead and buried when they fell to 245-9 chasing New Zealand’s 291-8 at Old Trafford.
But Brathwaite took 25 RUNS off Matt Henry’s 48th over – including three successive sixes – to leave his side needing just eight runs from 12 balls.
The all-rounder, who famously smashed Ben Stokes for four straight sixes to win the Twenty20 World Cup final in 2016, then completed his first one-day international century with a two.
Yet he was agonisingly denied a match-winning maximum when Trent Boult caught him right on the boundary edge off Jimmy Neesham.
A heartbroken Brathwaite slumped to his knees as the Kiwis celebrated their thrilling five-run win.
But Windies skipper Jason Holder said: “I’m proud of the guys – especially Carlos.
“Getting so close, I guess it does make it tougher to take.
“But credit to the guys for the way we fought. I can’t fault the effort.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had earlier starred with an ODI career-best 148 – just three days after his match-winning 106 against South Africa.
He led the Black Caps’ recovery after they lost two wickets in the first over to Sheldon Cottrell – who took 4-56, two catches and a run-out.
In reply, Chris Gayle was dropped three times but smashed six sixes in a knock of 87 – his highest of this World Cup.
The opener was then part of a collapse of five wickets for 22 runs.
But Brathwaite’s brave knock brought them back from the brink before he fell in the penultimate over.
West Indies’ hopes of finishing in the top four are now all but over, while unbeaten New Zealand top the group and are on the verge of qualifying for the semis.
Captain Williamson admitted: “Some of the striking from the West Indians is unrivalled so it really does put you under pressure.
“It was a bit too close for comfort but it’s good to be on the winning side and it’s been a learning curve for us.”
