WI in Super Eight after defeating NZ by 13 runs

TAROUBA, Trinidad

West Indies qualified for the Super Eight quarterfinals of the ICC Men's Twenty20 World Cup last night when they beat New Zealand by 13 runs in their Group C match under the lights at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

Scores: West Indies 149 for nine off 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 68 not out; Trent Boult 3-16, Tim Southee 2-21, Lockie Ferguson 2-27). New Zealand 136 for nine off 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 40, Finn Allen 26; Alzarri Joseph 4-19, Gudakesh Motie 3-25).

Having made three changes to the line-up beaten convincingly by Afghanistan, New Zealand signs of burning purpose early. And Trent Boult made it count, forcing Johnson Charles to chop on to end the first over.

Nicholas Pooran rode some luck for three quick boundaries, becoming the West Indies' highest T20I run-getter, moving past Chris Gayle. But New Zealand took ascendancy, forcing Pooran and then Roston Chase to both top edge straight to catchers.

The wicket of captain Rovman Powell capped off a dominant Powerplay for the Kiwis - 23/4 at the six-over mark with bowler Tim Southee picking up two of the scalps.

It was left for the West Indies lower order to pick up the pieces when opener Brandon King's dismissal became the Black Caps' fifth blow with the ball.

Sherfane Rutherford and Akeal Hosein took some initiative, combining for a sixth-wicket stand of 28 runs off 27 balls. Hosein made 15 off 17 before departing.

Rutherford, however, managed to hang around, anchoring his side's pursuit of a competitive total. And the fight paid off big time for the 25-year-old.

Rutherford turned the final five overs into his own 'Powerplay', blasting five sixes and two fours. He brought up his 50 on the final ball of the 19th over and pounded 18 runs off the final over as Mitchell Santner had no answers with the ball.

The Guyanese slugger produced one of the innings of the tournament so far, registering an unbeaten 68 off 39 balls. Rutherford scored all 37 runs in the closing partnership with Gudakesh Motie, which became a new 10th-wicket record in ICC T20 World Cup history.

When New Zealand batted Devon Conway was out cheaply, as momentum stuck with the hosts at the start of the new innings. But Finn Allen was determined to ensure New Zealand's Powerplay went more smoothly than the West Indies.

He made 26 off 23 before finding Russell at deep backward square leg, as the Black Caps finished the first six overs at 36/2.

Kane Williamson (one off two) and Rachin Ravindra (10 off 13) both went cheaply and the hosts officially had the Black Caps on the ropes.

- CMC and icc-cricket.com