West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite came up with a single-handed effort and took his side close to New Zealand’s total of 291 in World Cup 2019 match on Saturday.
The Caribbeans were reeling at 164 for 7 after a middle-order failure but Brathwaite, who had picked up 2 wickets earlier at the Old Trafford, wasn’t willing to give up.
The big-hitting all-rounder, who hadn’t been in the best of form in the ongoing World Cup, played with the typical Windies flair and gave Black Caps a massive scare.
Brathwaite hit 101, with the help of 9 boundaries and 5 sixes, in just 81 deliveries, thereby bringing up his maiden World Cup century.
West Indies needed just 5 runs from 7 balls after the Brathwaite heroics but the 30-year-old holed out at long-on when trying to seal the win with a big hit. Trent Boult at long-on held on grabbed a stunning catch.
Here’s the video:
You just have to see it to believe it!!! 🤯
An all or nothing catch in the deep by Trent Boult is the difference between winning and losing a @cricketworldcup classic.
What an incredible game of cricket! ❤#BACKTHEBLACKCAPS | #MenInMaroon #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/bRSz3429tf
— ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2019
“It’s a bit special, to be honest,” the 29-year-old Boult told the reporters after the match.
“It’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster sitting there with the pads at times and then being under the pump there with the ball.
“It’s what it’s all about. It’s awesome to be a part of it. And I’m sure there will be a lot of proud Kiwis back home, diving into poached eggs, watching a result like that,” he added.
“I’m sure that will give us a little bit of confidence moving hopefully deeper into the tournament.”
When asked what his thoughts were as he got underneath Brathwaite’s final hit, Boult replied: “Yeah, pressure situation, I guess.
“Initially I thought it was going to be quite a way inside the rope. It was almost driven for six in the end, but nice to snaffle it. And what a game. Simple as that, really.”
Boult also claimed 4 wickets for 30 in his full quota of 10 overs against the strong Windies line-up.
