New Zealand captain Kane Williamson faced disappointment as his team is on the brink of elimination from the 2024 T20 World Cup after a loss to the West Indies in Trinidad. A win for Afghanistan against Papua New Guinea would end New Zealand’s hopes of making it to the semifinals.
Williamson found it surreal to consider their exit after just two games. “It’s a bit strange,” he said, reflecting on the challenging conditions and strong opponents they faced early in the tournament.
New Zealand started well against the West Indies, reducing them to 30 for 5. However, a strong comeback by Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 68 not out off 39 balls, led the West Indies to a total of 149. Williamson’s strategy of using his fast bowlers early backfired as Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner conceded 37 runs in the last two overs.
“We needed to get Rutherford out,” Williamson explained, acknowledging the depth of the West Indies’ batting. Despite the tough conditions, he praised his team’s fight but admitted they fell short.
Despite the setback, Williamson dismissed any notion of an “end of an era” for New Zealand cricket, emphasizing that many players will continue to contribute. He stressed the need for improvement, especially in adapting to challenging conditions, and focusing on winning key moments in matches.
New Zealand’s next match is against Uganda, and Williamson hopes for a better performance to keep their slim hopes alive.
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