Chris Gayle hit a six off the first ball off Super Over
Skipper Ross Taylor’s blistering 72 off 60 balls went in vain as West Indies knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 in a dramatic Super Over on Monday after their group one match finished in a tie.
Both teams could manage to post 139 in their allotted 20 overs at Pallekele stadium, sending the match a sensational one-over eliminator. It was New Zealand’s second Super Over loss in the tournament, following the defeat to Sri Lanka in Super Eights opener.
New Zealand plundered 17 off their Super Over, bowled by Marlon Samuels. New Zealand handed the ball to fast bowler Tim Southee. Batting with Chris Gayle and Samuels, West Indies overhauled the target off the penultimate delivery.
Sri Lanka and West Indies have now progressed to the semi-finals from Group 2 while the fate of Group 1 will be decided on Tuesday, when South Africa and India and Pakistan and Australia will come head-to-head against each other in their final matches of Super Eight round.
Earlier New Zealand were needed 14 off the last over, bowled by Samuels. Taylor hit a maximum off the fourth delivery but could manage a single off the penultimate delivery as Blackcaps needed two off the final ball.
Doug Bracewell lofted the final delivery off towards off-side but was run out while scampering for a second run. Taylor slammed three sixes and as many fours in his knock. .
Sunil Narine was the most successful bowler for West Indies with the figures of 3-20 in his four-over quota.
“He delivered today. We all know what he is capable of doing, like bowling in pressure situations,” West Indies captain Darren Sammy said. “And also Marlon Samuels. He’s suffering from bad shoulders and that’s why he doesn’t bowl too many overs.”
Earlier, pace duo Southee (3-21) and Doug Bracewell (3-31) claimed three wickets apiece at an economical rate to bundle out West Indies for 139.
Gayle top-scored with blistering 30 off 14 balls while Kieron Pollard and Samuels contributed 28 and 24 runs respectively.
