In a crucial must-win encounter, West Indies captain Rovman Powell chose to field first after winning the toss. Andre Russell quickly made an impact by dismissing Steven Taylor in the second over. Nitish Kumar and Andries Gous then guided the USA through the powerplay, putting together 48 runs before Gudakesh Motie trapped Kumar LBW.
Alzarri Joseph removed the in-form Gous in the very next over, and Roston Chase struck again soon after, dismissing Aaron Jones, leaving the USA struggling at 69/4 after ten overs. The American side managed to add 28 runs over the next five overs, losing two more wickets, including a double-wicket over from Chase.
Shadley van Schalkwyk’s brief contribution was followed by two more wickets in the 18th over, with the tailenders steering the team to a total of 128. In contrast, West Indies began their innings explosively with Shai Hope leading the charge. The ODI captain attacked the USA bowlers aggressively, with Johnson Charles supporting him during a 66-run powerplay.
Hope brought up his 26-ball fifty with a six over long-off in the next over, although Harmeet Singh managed to dismiss Charles shortly afterward. With Nicholas Pooran joining him at the crease, Hope went on a rampage in the ninth over, hitting three consecutive sixes, reducing the required runs to just 32 from the remaining eleven overs.
— Jack Wills (@jack_wills44147) June 22, 2024
Pooran added to the onslaught with a six and a four in the following over. The pair quickly wrapped up the chase with a few more sixes, securing a dominant nine-wicket victory for West Indies and leaving the USA in disarray.
