Preview:

The sixth match of the Super Eight stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature a face-off between co-hosts the USA and the West Indies. This exciting encounter is scheduled to take place at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 22, 2024, starting at 06:00 AM IST. Here’s a look at their journey so far and key players to watch out for

Match Details:

Fixture: USA vs West Indies (Super Eight – Match 6)

Date: June 22, 2024

Time: 06:00 AM IST

Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

Recent Performances:

USA:

The USA team has played five matches in the tournament so far and is currently ranked third on the Super Eight Group Two points table. In their last match, they faced a tough opponent in South Africa and were narrowly defeated by 18 runs. Despite the loss, Harmeet Singh emerged as the top fantasy player for the USA, earning 120 fantasy points for his performance.

West Indies:

The West Indies team has also competed in five matches, holding the fourth position on the points table. Their recent outing against England ended in a disappointing 8-wicket loss. However, Johnson Charles stood out as the top fantasy player for the West Indies, accumulating 60 fantasy points with his efforts.

Key Players:

West Indies

Johnson Charles:

Johnson Charles is a pivotal opening right-handed batter for the West Indies. In his last five matches, he has amassed 125 runs, averaging 25 runs per match. His consistent performances at the top of the order are crucial for setting a solid foundation for the team.

Akeal Hosein:

Akeal Hosein, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has been in exceptional form, taking nine wickets in his last five matches with an impressive average of 11. Hosein’s prowess is particularly notable at the Kensington Oval, where he has claimed nine wickets in seven innings, making him a significant threat to the opposition.

Nicholas Pooran:

Nicholas Pooran, a talented left-handed top-order batter and wicket-keeper, has been a key player for the West Indies. Over the last five matches, Pooran has scored 200 runs, averaging 40 per match. His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating the scoring rate makes him a vital asset to the team.

USA:

Shayan Jahangir:

Shayan Jahangir, an opening right-handed batter, has scored 31 runs in his last five T20 matches. Jahangir’s role at the top of the order is crucial for providing stability and setting the pace for the USA’s innings.

Jessy Singh:

Jessy Singh, a right-arm medium bowler, has struggled recently, taking only one wicket in his last five matches. Singh will be looking to improve his performance and make a greater impact in the upcoming matches.

Harmeet Singh:

Harmeet Singh, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has taken three wickets in his last five matches. Despite these modest figures, Harmeet has shown potential and will be aiming to enhance his wicket-taking ability to support his team better.

Conclusion:

This match promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to improve their standings in the Super Eight stage. Fans can expect a thrilling game with key performances from both sides at the historic Kensington Oval.

Two-time champions West Indies were put under extreme pressure by a plucky Papua New Guinea unit before scraping through with a five-wicket win in their 2024 T20 World Cup opener here on Sunday. Left-hander Sese Bau (50 off 43) made a fine half-century to take PNG to 136 for eight after the associate nation lost their first four wickets for 50 runs. A power-packed West Indies should have chased down the below-par total comfortably but PNG made them work hard for the win despite their limitations.

PNG’s spinners as well medium pacers did not allow the hard-hitting West Indies batters to cut loose on a slow surface. The tournament co-hosts eventually got home in 19 overs thanks to rearguard action from Roston Chase (42 not out off 27 balls) and Andre Russell (15 off 9).

The West Indies’ innings was halted for 20 minutes due to rain but there was no loss of overs. The passing shower arrived with the home team at 8 for one in the second over and it would have been two down at the same score had right-arm pacer Alei Nao won a lbw review for the dangerous Nicholas Pooran.

After trapping Johnson Charles off his very first ball, Nao got another one to seam back in from short of length to leave Pooran stranded but luck was on the latter’s side. However, his scratchy effort ended when he was caught in the deep off left-arm spinner John Kariko.

PNG skipper Assad Vala made it 63 for three inside 10 overs when he deceived opener Brandon King (34) in flight and had him caught at deep midwicket. Nerves increased in the West Indies dressing room when it became 97 for five in 16 overs before Chase and Russell got hold of the proceedings.

After PNG were sent in to bat, Bau made instant impact on the big stage with his spirited effort.

PNG, playing their second T20 World Cup, were reeling at 50 for four before Bau shared a 44-run stand with Charles Amini (12) to save them the blushes.

Expecting the pitch to turn, the West Indies picked three spinners and put the opposition in after winning the toss.

The help for the spinners was visible as early as the first over bowled by Akeal Hosein.

However, it was pacer Romario Shepherd who picked the first wicket by having Tony Ura caught behind in the second over of the game. The ball seamed away, inducing a thick edge from the batter.

Hosein got rid of number three Lega Siaka with an arm ball before Alzarri Joseph sent back Vala (21 off 22 balls). Vala came up with a couple of crisp hits in the cover region before being caught brilliantly by Roston Chase at backward point.

Vala’s six over extra cover off spinner Chase in the previous over was one of the highlights of PNG’s innings.

Bau then ensured that the odd boundary kept coming as PNG tried to consolidate their innings.

Bau, a leftie like Vala, smashed left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for a six and couple of fours to give the innings much needed momentum.

After his departure, the associate nation did rather well to get close to the 140-run mark.