WI CRICKET: West Indies win final Group A ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier match against the Netherlands
HARARE, Zimbabwe – West Indies 26-year-old left-hander Evin Lewis made a rapid 84 in an opening stand of 85 off just 8.3 overs with Chris Gayle against the Netherlands in the fourth and final Group A match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament. The Windies won by 54 runs (DLS Method) – the fourth win in a row – and topped Group A – thereby gaining qualification to the Super Six stage.
Lewis faced just 92 balls and hit six fours and four sixes. Gayle smashed 46 off 31 balls on a good pitch at Harare Sports Cup.
The knock helped propel Windies to 309-6 off their allotted 48 overs – on a day interrupted by rain. Marlon Samuels added a stroke-filled 73 not out off 84 balls with five boundaries, while Rovman Powell struck three huge sixes in 52 off 38, to boost the total.
The Netherlands reached 167-6 off 28.4 overs before rain brought an end to the match.
During the Dutch run chase Lewis featured again with an amazing direct him from the outfield, which accounted for a crucial wicket.
It was one of three run-outs in the innings and accounted for opener Wesley Baressi (64) who shared a fluent century partnership with Ryan ten Doeschate (67 not out).
The Windies first match of the Super Sixes will be against Afghanistan on Thursday at Harare Sports Club. First ball is 9:30am (3:30am Eastern Caribbean Time/2:30am Jamaica Time).
Full Squad
- Jason Holder (captain)
3. Jason Mohammed (vice-captain)
70. Devendra Bishoo
26. Carlos Brathwaite
45. Chris Gayle
2. Shimron Hetmyer
4. Shai Hope
17. Evin Lewis
33. Nikita Miller
5. Ashley Nurse
52. Rovman Powell
24. Kemar Roach
7. Marlon Samuels
60. Kesrick Williams
Match Schedule
Start: 9:30am (3:30am Eastern Caribbean/2:30am Jamaica)
Group A
Tuesday, March 6: Windies beat UAE by 60 runs at Old Hararians
Thursday, March 8: Windies beat PNG by 6 wickets at Old Hararians
Saturday, March 10: Windies beat Ireland by 52 runs at Harare Sports Club
Monday, March 12: Windies beat Netherlands by 54 runs (DLS Method) at Harare Sports Club
Super Six
Thursday, March 15: v Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club
Monday, March 19: v Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club
Friday, March 21: v Scotland at Harare Sports Club
Sunday, March 25: FINAL at Harare Sports Club
Photo: Evin Lewis during West Indies training session ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe. CWI Media Photo/Philip Spooner