online slots The first ODI of the much-anticipated Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 2024 kicked off in thrilling fashion on December 8 at Warner Park, Basseterre, St. Kitts. The West Indies claimed a stunning victory, chasing down Bangladesh’s formidable total of 294/6 with 47.4 overs and five wickets to spare. Sherfane Rutherford’s breathtaking innings of 113 runs off 80 balls secured the Player of the Match award and etched his name in the record books.

1^st ODI Cricket Match Overview

Contributions from key batsmen like Litton Das (74 off 85) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (62 off 78) set the tone. West Indies’ bowlers initially managed to contain the run flow, with Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder picking up crucial wickets. However, some late-innings fireworks from Afif Hossain (41 off 27) gave Bangladesh a strong finish. In reply, West Indies began cautiously, with Shai Hope anchoring the chase. Though early wickets caused concern, Rutherford’s scintillating century and valuable support from Justin Greaves (38 off 29) sealed the victory, ending an 11-match losing streak against Bangladesh in ODIs.

Rutherford’s Explosive Performance in Bangladesh Tour of West Indies

Sherfane Rutherford was undoubtedly the star of the match. After a shaky start, where he struggled against the short ball and was struck on the helmet twice, Rutherford adapted and unleashed an array of powerful strokes. The century, Rutherford’s fifth consecutive fifty-plus score in ODIs, was a masterclass in chasing under pressure. From the 25th over, when the required run rate began creeping up, Rutherford took charge, hitting three sixes in Soumya Sarkar’s 46th over to tilt the momentum firmly in the Windies’ favor.

Justin Greaves’ Calm Under Pressure

While Rutherford’s explosive batting grabbed headlines, Justin Greaves played the perfect supporting role. Coming in during a tense phase of the chase, Greaves rotated the strike efficiently and unleashed a few big hits when required. His unbeaten 38 off 29 balls ensured there were no last-minute hiccups in the chase.

Bangladesh’s Bowling Struggles in the Match

Bangladesh’s bowlers started strong, maintaining discipline in the early overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 9-0-62-1 and Taskin Ahmed’s economical spells created pressure. However, as Rutherford settled, their plans unraveled. Soumya Sarkar’s 46th over, which went for 21 runs, epitomized their inability to contain Rutherford’s onslaught. Tanzim Hasan Sakib (10-1-55-1) showed promise but lacked the consistency needed in crunch situations.

Key Highlights of this Cricket Match

1. Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto Sparkle: Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto batted with composure, building a vital 120-run partnership for the second wicket.

2. Windies’ Bowling Comeback: Despite Bangladesh’s strong start, the Windies’ bowlers, led by Holder and Joseph, fought back in the middle overs to restrict the scoring rate.

3. Rutherford’s Helmet Drama: Despite being targeted by a barrage of bouncers early in his innings, Rutherford bounced back to play one of the most remarkable ODI knocks in recent times.4. Record-Breaking Chase: The successful chase of 295 is now the highest ODI chase at Warner Park, showcasing the batting depth and resilience of the West Indies team.