Carlos Brathwaite ‘s inning in Manchester against New Zealand just seems like a throwback to his final heroics of the 2016 T20 World Cup in Kolkata, but this time the great attempt ended with a heart-breaking loss.
A few feet did make all the difference. Carlos Brathwaite was caught at long-on by Boult from the penultimate’s last ball, bowled by Neesham, who had conjured up four dots from the first five balls, with West Indies needing six to win.
Neesham knew that the ball wasn’t quite middled, because “when the West Indians do that, it makes a distinct sound.”
Until falling to his knees and being consoled by the New Zealanders, led by Taylor, Brathwaite felt he had plenty on it; even a maiden international century could not compensate for the near miss. “Inches away from becoming Colossus Brathwaite,” broadcaster Alan Wilkins said.
How the magical inning begins
After losing five for 22 in 29 balls he had rebuilt his side’s hopes, then scored all 41 in a 10th-wicket partnership with Thomas, who faced only four. The 48th over looked to have swung the game in favor of West Indies:
Henry couldn’t find his length as Brathwaite, evoking memories of his last-over assault on Ben Stokes in the 2016 World T20 final, crunching 25, including three successive sixes.
New Zealand had also fought back after Cottrell lost both openers to golden ducks. The nerveless Williamson replied by bringing his sequence between dismissals to 333 with 148, his 13th and highest ODI century, and putting on 160 with Taylor for the third wicket.
As West Indies set out to chase 292, Boult eliminated Hope and Pooran for a single piece, before Gayle biffed six six in his 87, adding 122 to Hetmyer. But West Indies appeared out of that at 164 for seven. Then Brathwaite came over.
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