The West Indies revived their Super Eight campaign at the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday with a commanding nine-wicket win over fellow hosts the United States in Barbados, with Shay Hope scoring six runs and hitting 82 not out.
Needing a win and a significant improvement in their net run-rate after losing to England in their opening Super Eight match, the West Indies achieved both at Kensington Oval to move up to second in their group behind their next opponents, unbeaten South Africa.
Roston Chase (3-19) and Andre Russell (3-31) led the way with the ball as the USA were bowled out for 128, with Hope and Nicholas Pooran (27 not out) reaching the target with over nine overs remaining.
“Credit has to go to the players. We set out to achieve a goal and we did,” said West Indies captain Rovman Powell, who was already looking forward to the possibility of returning to Bridgetown for the final.
“Kensington holds special memories for us – it is the home of Caribbean cricket and we hope to return to this special place on the 29th to play some cricket.”
The US team felt they were 50 short in their innings after coming to bat, but captain Aaron Jones was not ready to accept that their fairytale streak in the tournament was over.
“It was a tough night for the guys, to be honest,” Jones said.
“We weren’t at our best tonight but that happens and we’ll re-plan and give it our all on Sunday against England.”
Jones managed just 11 points, with Andries Guth (29) and Nitish Kumar (20) the only players to make it out of the teens.
The West Indies fought back strongly, with Hope hitting eight sixes off 39 balls, including one over long-off to bring the match to a fitting end, and Pooran also hitting three sixes off 27 balls to be left not out.
The USA remain in Barbados for their final Super Eight match, while the West Indies travel to Antigua to take on the Proteas later on Sunday.
