Two-time International Cricket Council (ICC) men's T20 World Cup winner Samuel Badree says the 2024 World Cup co-hosts West Indies were dug out of a hole by a brilliant Roston Chase in their "underwhelming" five-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Providence Stadium in Guyana on June 2.
The Windies restricted PNG to 136 for eight with solid contributions with the ball from pacers Andre Russell (two for 19) and Alzarri Joseph (two for 34). However, they struggled in pursuit of the modest total and needed a counter-attacking knock of 42 not out off 27 balls from Chase to get over the line in the penultimate over.
At the end of the 16th over, the West Indies slipped to 97 for five when Sherfane Rutherford (two) was caught behind off PNG captain Assad Vala (two for 28). At that stage, the co-hosts needed 40 runs off the last four overs to avoid a major upset.
Chase critically upped the ante in the 18th over, as he clouted a wayward Vala for two fours and a big six over long off to swing the contest back into the Windies' favour before they clinched the win in the next over.
Badree said the victory was far from convincing.
"It was an underwhelming performance from the hosts and one of the pre-tournament favorites," Badree told Newsday. "Roston Chase dug them out of a very deep hole. But they will be happy with the two points."
On the slow Providence wicket, the West Indies batsmen looked uncomfortable against the spin variation and gentle medium pace delivered by the PNG bowlers. Right-arm medium pacer Alei Nao (one for nine) was a handful during the power play with his sideways movement, and trapped Johnson Charles lbw for a golden duck. He also rapped star West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran on the pads with a strong lbw shout early in his innings. PNG opted not to review the latter decision, which would have seen Pooran heading back to the pavilion.
"These players have played at this stadium for many years and understand how it plays. I think the lack of pace from PNG made it difficult for the West Indies. But yes, adaptability is important and adjusting plans in real time is key."
Badree, who's a member of the ICC's commentary team for the June 1-29 tournament, commended the West Indies' effort in both power play phases. He said the intensity and consistency of play cannot be restricted to the 12 power play overs, though.
"We gave too many away in the last five overs with the ball and when we batted we didn't dominate as we should have," he said.
"The bowling was outstanding for the first 15 overs or so – the spinners were clinical."
With two teams advancing from the group phase of the tournament, he said the Caribbean team would have been reminded not to take any opponent for granted.
He said he would not make any changes for the team's next game versus Uganda on June 8.
"Key lessons from the PNG game would be to be clinical all the way through the 40 overs and not underestimate any opposition. T20 is a fickle format.
"Credit has to be given to PNG as it was a spirited effo
