Hetmyer and Rutherford secure narrow win for West Indies

22 Jul 2026, 08:54 am IST|
Hetmyer and Rutherford secure narrow win for West Indies
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Hetmyer and Rutherford combined to steer West Indies to a tense, come-from-behind victory, the hosts prevailing by two wickets. Duffy took two wickets in the 45th over to make things tense, but Hetmyer held his nerve to lead the hosts to a two-wicket win.

The match unfolded as a tightly contested chase with the home side ultimately completing the run pursuit. West Indies relied on a late partnership and composed batting under pressure to reach the target. Duffy’s late burst, with two wickets in the 45th over, briefly shifted momentum and created a nervy finish. Both Hetmyer and Rutherford were credited with guiding the chase in its most consequential phases.

Hetmyer’s contribution was decisive in the closing stages, his composure cited as instrumental to the result. Reports from the game noted that he held his nerve as the target approached, ensuring the hosts did not falter after the late inroads. Hetmyer’s performance provided the final impetus the chase required without further detail on individual scoring.

Rutherford partnered effectively in the decisive period, playing a role alongside Hetmyer that allowed West Indies to reach the target. The pairing provided the counterbalance to the opposition’s late wickets and helped steady the innings after the 45th-over interruption. Their combined efforts were highlighted as the reason the hosts could withstand the late surge from the bowling side.

Duffy’s spell in the 45th over altered the complexion of the finish by removing two batters in quick succession. That over tightened the margin and set up a dramatic conclusion, but it proved insufficient to prevent the hosts completing the chase. The two wickets intensified the contest in the final overs, briefly putting the chasing side under significant pressure.

The result stands as a narrow home victory for West Indies, achieved by two wickets in a closing game that tested both batting and bowling resolve. The match will be remembered for its late drama, with Hetmyer and Rutherford credited for hauling the hosts to the target despite Duffy’s late impact.

HetmyerRutherfordDuffyWest Indies