The West Indies came into the game with batting on a wet pitch first up. Early morning rain and rain throughout the day didnt help the cricket under lights at the MCG. A low crowd went to the G to see West Indies vs New Zealand in the Quarter Finals for the 20/20 Knockout Cup. The Pitch was wet and the field was slow, it would be hard to smash boundaries on this field. West Indies were up batting 1st. A different looking Indies side set the park, with F. Edwards and C. Gayle there openers. The 1st wicket for New Zealand came quick, with the 1st wicket been taken by Shane Bond of New Zealand, with the assistance of James Franklin taking the catch. F. Edwards made 19 before being dissmissed. C. Gayle up the other end looked in good form early, hitting a massive 6 into the 3rd tier of the Southern Grand Stand. Lara and Gayle put on 31 before Gayle was gone, balled by McMillian and caught by Vettori making 20 himself. S. Chandapual was in at number 4, but only a 12 partnership between him and Lara before Chandapaul was gone for 4, McMillian the bowler again. Brian Lara was looking solid in the wet conditions, but it was the spin of Daniel Vettori that fooled Lara and was clean bowled gone for 29, the higest score of the Indies and the match at the moment. Lara and Sarwan put on a 20 run partnership before it was broken up by Vettori getting rid of Lara. R. Sarwan and M. Samuels were both not out at the end of the 20 overs. Sarwan hitting 26 and Samules just coming in hitting 6. West Indies posted 110 of 20 overs for New Zealand to chase. The next innings was delayed for another down fall of rain that last 15 minutes, and now New Zealand are looking to make it to the Semi Finals with a pretty low score to chase.
Captain Brian Lara was the West Indies shining light in a miserable night in Melbourne
West Indies Batting Lineup
F. Edwards: c. J. Frankin - b. S. Bond - 19
C. Gayle: c. D. Vettori - b. McMillian - 20
B. Lara: b. Vettori - 29
S. Chanderpaul: b. McMillian - 4
R. Sarwan: Not out - 26*
M. Samuels: not out - 6*
New Zealand Bowlers (runs- wickets)
S. Bond: 24 - 1
J. Fraklin: 20 - 0
C. McMillian: 28 - 2
D. Vettori: 19 - 1
J. Oram: 2 - 0
N. Astle: 13 - 0
New Zealand had a very low score to chase posted by the West Indies, but things might be harder for New Zealand after another delay with rain, having a 15 minute downfall before the New Zealand Innings of batting. Officials got the pitch covered as quickly as they could, but it would of got a bit of wetness on there before the covers came on. Nathan Astle and M. Papps were the openers for New Zealand, with Nathan Astle just coming from the man of the Series in the World Championships looks to be in for a good night. A different looking New Zealand team from what we have seen over the past few months with the inclusions of Papps, Taylor, Syris, Oram and Mills, but missing 2 gun openers Vincent and Sinclair, can New Zealand find a way to post 111 in 20 overs.
It was a great start for New Zealand, both Papps and Astle hitting the boundaries, 4 fours to Papps and 2 to Astle got New Zealand rolling. It was 87 runs later that the 1st wicket fell to D. Bravo lbw to Astle taking him out for 41, a suberb innings from Astle, playing his best cricket of his career arguably. Stephen Fleming only put on 4 runs from 3 balls hitting a boundary before he was gone in the same over bowled by Bravo and caught by Ramdin. But it was the class of Papps that kept New Zealand going. Already hitting 41 off 56 balls including 4 boundaries, but it was Bradshaw that struck and Ramdin taking his 2nd catch of the match. 8 runs later Bradshaw and Ramdin conbinded again getting Styirs out for 8, but it was a little too late for West Indies as New Zealand posted a good score at the start of the Innings from Astle and Papps. New Zealand have won and look steady for a Semi Finals match against whoever they play.
Nathan Astle still has his World Championship form, hitting 41 from 42 balls in the 20/20 match against West Indies at the MCG
New Zealand Batting
N. Astle: lbw - b. Bravo - 41
M. Papps: c. Ramdin - b. Bradshaw - 41
S. Fleming: c. Ramdin - b. Bravo - 4
R. Taylor: not out - 12
S. Styris: c. Ramdin - b. Bradshaw - 8
B. McCullum: not out - 0
Total: 111
West Indies bowling (runs - wickets)
I. Bradshaw: 59 -2
D. Bravo: 15 - 0
D. Powell: 35 - 2
Full Scoreboard: West Indies: 110/4 def by New Zealand: 111/4 off 19.0 overs: Man of the Match: C. McMillian (New Zealand)
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