da realbet： The West Indies beat New Zealand by 56 runs at the NCC ground inColombo
Simon Williams20-Jan-2000The West Indies beat New Zealand by 56 runs at the NCC ground inColombo. Replying to the Caribbean side’s 218 for 6, the Kiwiscollapsed to 162 all out in the 44th over. Nondescripts has proved tobe a happy hunting ground for the West Indians, this victory winkeeping their hopes of a semi final place very much alive.The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat on a dry pitch. Lopez,employed in the pinch hitting role got the innings off to a positivestart. His cameo of 22 set the pace. New Zealand did not appear fazedand responded with early wickets. Zaheer Ali fell LBW to his firstdelivery, then the studless Deonarine run out flat on his back for 9.Brenton Parchment was the anchor of the West Indian innings, drivingand cutting with his usual flourish, finishing with 54 important runs.At 167 for 8, the game was there to be taken by New Zealand but theychose not to bring back their strike bowlers before it was too late.Camillus Alexander and Andrew Richardson were allowed easy runs andwent on to share an unbeaten stand of 51 for the ninth wicket in 11overs helping the West Indian total onto a respectable 218 for 8 fromtheir allocated 50 overs.New Zealand produced a lacklustre reply against a well balanced paceand spin bowling attack. Hungry for success, Fast bowler AndrewRichardson made early inroads. Into his rhythm and with legs pumpinghe got Leighton Morgan to knick the 2nd ball of the innings toFrancois behind the stumps. A well timed catch by Lopez removedHorsley and Richardson promptly dealt with How just as he had Morganpreviously.At 44 for 3 in the twelfth over, New Zealand were on the back foot andnever recovered. Spinners Samuels, Hinds and Alexander made good useof a turning wicket and strangled the Kiwi middle and lower order.When Shaw was finally run out in the 44th over, New Zealand were 56runs in arrears of the West Indian target. The West Indies triumph,it must be said came with an inept display of batting characterized bytoo many unforced errors.Speaking to CricInfo Dayle Hadlee, coach of the New Zealand sideexpressed his disappointment with the manner in which his team wereoutplayed. “It was straight out under achievement – a lack ofconcentration, a lack of partnerships. No one took responsibility.The players must look at themselves in the mirror tonight and say thatthey under performed. We got what we deserved.”This a big win for the West Indies and one which showed great reservesof discipline and self belief after a tough loss against Australia.They play Pakistan on Saturday in a do-or-die game of cricket whichwill decide their fate in the tournament. Looking forward to the matchcoach Gus Logie said “the players need to know the significance ofthis game. If they win they are through, if they lose they are out.We must get them into the right frame of mind. I have no doubt theywill come out fighting and really give it their all.”