All rounder Sherfane Rutherford smashed a career-best unbeaten 68 in 39 balls before paceman Alzarri Joseph and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie ripped through the New Zealand line-up to steer West Indies into the T20 World Cup’s Super Eight stage with a 13-run win in Tarouba, Trinidad yesterday. Rutherford came to the middle at number six, smashing half a dozen sixes and two fours in his brisk 68 to lift West Indies to 149 for 9 from 76 for 7 in 12.3 overs after New Zealand opted to bowl in a virtual knock-out Group C fixture.

In reply, West Indies restricted the Kiwis to 136 for 9 with Rutherford’s fellow Guyanese Gudakesh Motie returning with splendid figures of 3 for 25. Joseph turned up the heat lower down the order to become the wrecker-in-chief with his 4 for 19.

With three wins in a row, the tournament co-hosts qualified for the Super Eight stage, while New Zealand’s hopes were all but over following back to back losses.

Kiwis had earlier lost to Afghanistan by 84 runs after being shot out for 75. The 2021 runners-up, among the most consistent sides in World Cups, have been found wanting this time.

They made the semi-final in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions of the ODI World Cup, and in 2016, 2021 and 2022, the Black Caps ensured a last-four appearance in the T20 World Cups.

The two-time former champions West Indies were eliminated in the Super-12 stage of the competition in UAE in 2021, while in 2022 in Australia, they failed to make the tournament proper and exited in the group stage.

“The Man of the Match Rutherford’s innings gave us confidence and belief. We watched what they did well and tried to replicate it.” “It is one tick in the box, but it is only the start of something big to come. Hopefully we can continue the momentum,” said Rutherford on making Super Eight.

The Kiwi left-arm pacer Bolt ended up with splendid figures of 4-1-16-3.

Nicholas Pooran rode some luck for three quick boundaries, becoming the West Indies’ highest T20I run-getter, moving past Chris Gayle.

Rutherford scored all 37 runs in the closing partnership with Motie which became a new 10th wicket record in the ICC T20 World Cup history.

In reply, New Zealand got off to a poor start and lost both their openers – Devon Conway (5) and Finn Allen (26) in the powerplay.

Thereafter left-arm spinner Motie foxed the Kiwi batters finishing with a match-turning spell of 4-0-25-3 before Joseph turned on the heat with his four-wicket haul.

Glenn Phillips kept the Kiwi hopes alive with his 33-ball 40 before being dismissed by Joseph.

New Zealand needed 33 runs from the last over and Mitchell Santner smashed three sixes off the first four balls but eventually fell short.

Chief scores

West Indies 149 for 9 wickets in 20 overs (Nicolas Pooran 17, Sherfane Rutherford 68*, Akeal Hosein 15, Andre Russel 14, Romario Shepherd 13, Trent Boult 3/16 , Tim Southee 2/21,Mitchell Santner 1/27, Lockie Ferguson 2/27, James Neesham 1/27)

New Zealand 136 for 9 wickets in 20 overs (Finn Allen 26, Rachin Ravindra 10, Daryl Mitchell 12, Glenn Phillips 40, James Neesham 10, Mitchell Santner 21*, Akeil Hosein 1/21, Alzarri Joseph 4/19, Gudakesh Motie 3/25, Andre Russel 1/30)