Rutherford and Motie star as West Indies down England

West Indies defeated England by 30 runs in their Group C T20 World Cup clash at Wankhede Stadium. Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 and Gudakesh Motie’s 3/32 powered the Caribbean side, while England folded for 166 chasing 197

Mumbai: Sherfane Rutherford (76 not out) and Gudakesh Motie (3/32) thwarted England’s charge to help West Indies win their key Group C match of the T20 World Cup by 30 runs at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

Rutherford displayed Caribbean flair with his stroke play, making a 42-ball 76 not out with five sixes and two fours, enthralling a 21,300-strong crowd. The West Indies spinners, led by Motie, used the grip off the surface perfectly to deny England in the chase.

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Set a target of 197, England folded for 166 in 19 overs, with Sam Curran top-scoring with 43 not out.

Phil Salt (30 off 14 balls; 4 fours, 2 sixes) gave England a flying start, hammering Jason Holder for 24 runs in the second over. But Salt fell in the powerplay, caught by Rutherford off Romario Shepherd, and Jos Buttler (21) followed soon after, dismissed by Roston Chase.

Motie then struck twice, removing Tom Banton (2) and Jacob Bethell (33), reducing England to 93/4 at halfway. He later dismissed skipper Harry Brook (17) with a sharp return catch, while Chase trapped Will Jacks (2) leg-before.

Jamie Overton (5) was caught brilliantly by Powell at long-on off Akeal Hosein (1/32), leaving England struggling at 135/6 after 15 overs.

Earlier, Rutherford led West Indies’ recovery from 79/4 to post 196/6. He added 51 runs with Powell (14) and 61 runs off 32 balls with Holder (33 off 17 balls; 1 four, 4 sixes). Chase (34) also contributed at No 4.

Holder smashed three sixes in an over off Curran, easing pressure on Rutherford, who was dropped by Adil Rashid (2/16) in the 18th over. Rashid bowled four tight overs, dismissing Chase and Powell.

West Indies had slipped to 8/2 early, with Shai Hope (0) and Brandon King (0) dismissed by Archer (1/48) and Curran (1/36). Hetmyer (23) showed promise but fell to Overton (2/33).

West Indies finished strongly, thanks to Rutherford’s unbeaten knock, and their spinners sealed a crucial win.