New Zealand escaped by the skin of their teeth as they managed to beat West Indies by 5 runs in a thrilling contest at the Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.
Bowling first, West Indies started with two wickets in the first over, courtesy two stunning deliveries by Sheldon Cottrell. But Kane Williamson took charge of the innings and with the help of James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme, guided the Black Caps to post a competitive 291/8.
Trent Boult got things going for New Zealand with two quick wickets. But Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer added a 100-plus stand to put their side back on the track. A massive middle-order collapse saw West Indies reeling, meanwhile, Carlos Brathwaite produced a breath-taking century, but, could not manage to get his side over the line.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Carlos Brathwaite! What a 100, so near yet so far but an innings to remember for a long long time . World Cup is truly alive now #WIvNZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019
What a stunning innings from Carlos Brathwaite. Nearly pulled off what looked an impossible chase. #WIvNZ
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 22, 2019
Great innings by Carlos Brathwaite. 12 inches away from glory, from another great moment in cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1142532711384436736
Hard luck @windiescricket great display of fight by @TridentSportsX keep your head up son. #meninmaroon
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 22, 2019
King Carlos!!!… watta cracker 👏 @TridentSportsX century sensational 👊🏻💥 BOOM 😎 #entertainmentmaximum @cricketworldcup @windiescricket
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) June 22, 2019
Another thriller @CWC19_News . Well batted @TridentSportsX what a spirited fight . Great captains knock by Kane Williamson . Been a nail biting day for the fans .
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 22, 2019
West Indies top order…. I have no words. #WIvNZ
Carlos Brathwaite… I also have no words. A very different kind of no words. #CWC19
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) June 22, 2019
What a thriller – Brathwaite almost pulling it off..heartbreak for WI(& Pak) #NZvWI
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1142533346087583745
Bishop and Brathwaite. Almost. Almost again.. @irbishi
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 22, 2019
New Zealand and India got out of jail, England did not! But what about that effort from @TridentSportsX ! matter of inches and he would have been super hero #cricket #CWC19
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) June 22, 2019
If you missed seeing WI v NZ you missed best match of World Cup yet. Windies, down & out at 164-7 chasing 291 falling just 5 runs short, Braithwaite last man out caught a foot or so inside fence for sensational 101. Last pair put on 41, Thomas 0! Gr8 game, but tragedy for Windies
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 22, 2019
Impossible not to remember the name. What an innings, Carlos Brathwaite! Sport is magnificent. (pic courtesy Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/fbSNw5mDP4
— Debayan Sen (ਦੇਬਾਯਨ) (@debayansen) June 22, 2019
Carlos Brathwaite's maiden international century went in vain, but it made for a thoroughly entertaining #CWC19 contest!
His knock in a look ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/smr2FlOjIV
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 22, 2019
