West Indies eke out win in World Cup opener

Co-host West Indies was required to dig deep before they eventually crossed the line against Papua New Guinea in their opening fixture of Group C of the 2024 ICC Men’s T/20 World Cup, last Sunday June 2, 2024, at the Providence Oval in Guyana.

What was expected to be a formality for the two time champions, turned out to be a nervy five wicket win with just one over to spare.

Asked to make 137 to win, West Indies met several bumps in their way.

The chase became treacherous after West Indies slumped from 61/2 to 97/5, as the Papua New Guinea’s slow bowlers tightening the noose.

However, an unbroken 42 run partnership between Roston Chase, 42 not out, and Andre Russell, 15 not out, ended the scare for the 2012 and 2016 champions.

Before them, Brandon King- 34, and Nicholas Pooran- 27, had attempted to give the regional side an uncomplicated win.

This after they had lost Johnson Charles for 0. The departure of King and Pooran, followed by Rovman Powell- 15, and Sherfane Rutherford- 2, sent the panic in the West Indies camp.

Assad Vala was Papua New Guinea’s most successful bowler taking 2/28.

When PNG batted, they posted 136/8 from their 20 overs. Sese Bau led with 50. Other contributions came from Kiplin Doriga- 27 not out, and Assad Vala- 21.

Bowling for West Indies, Russell had 2/19, and Alzarri Joseph- 2/34. Chase was named Player of the Match.

The West Indies next play Uganda, also at the Providence Oval on Saturday, June 8. Uganda though, will open their sojourn tomorrow, June 5, versus Papua New Guinea at the same venue.