ODI series: Narine is just world-class, says Sammy
West Indies captain pleased after 4-1 win over New Zealand.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy showered Sunil Narine with well-deserved praise after the spinner’s five-wicket haul helped the hosts to a 20-run win over New Zealand in the fifth and final One-Day International at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.
Narine claimed his maiden five-wicket haul and gave away just 27 runs off his 10 overs as New Zealand, chasing 242 to win, were bundled out for 221 off the final ball of their innings.
‘Narine gives us confidence’
Sammy said the spinner gave his side the confidence of defending the modest total.
“I think Narine is just world-class,” said Sammy. “Having him gives us confidence especially when we’re defending. We won most of the key sessions and everybody performed. The lower order fired and Narine was very consistent.”
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor was at a loss, trying to explain the reasons for another defeat. “It was pretty similar to the last game,” said Taylor. “The last 15 overs with both bat and ball West Indies played better than us. We need to learn from them. We had our chances but [Andre] Russell and Narine took it away from us.”
Meanwhile, Narine, who won his second man-of-the-match award and was named player of the series, was a pleased man. “It was a good feeling being able to come out and do well for your country,” said Narine. “I was a bit nervous initially but I tend to try and keep my cool because hard work always pays off at the end.”
Earlier, West Indies chose to bat and struggled to 104 for five with only Dwayne Bravo offering any resistance. A 53-run partnership between Devon Thomas and Bravo gave some respectability to the total before New Zealand hit back.
Reduced to 180 for eight, Russell took it upon himself, hitting a 40-ball 59 to help his side post 241.
In reply, fast-bowler Tino Best took a wicket in the first over before Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill managed a slight recovery.
However, it was all Narine from that point on and while Kane Williamson made 69, wickets at regular intervals disrupted the tourists’ progress.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.
Narine claimed his maiden five-wicket haul and gave away just 27 runs off his 10 overs as New Zealand, chasing 242 to win, were bundled out for 221 off the final ball of their innings.
‘Narine gives us confidence’
Sammy said the spinner gave his side the confidence of defending the modest total.
“I think Narine is just world-class,” said Sammy. “Having him gives us confidence especially when we’re defending. We won most of the key sessions and everybody performed. The lower order fired and Narine was very consistent.”
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor was at a loss, trying to explain the reasons for another defeat. “It was pretty similar to the last game,” said Taylor. “The last 15 overs with both bat and ball West Indies played better than us. We need to learn from them. We had our chances but [Andre] Russell and Narine took it away from us.”
Meanwhile, Narine, who won his second man-of-the-match award and was named player of the series, was a pleased man. “It was a good feeling being able to come out and do well for your country,” said Narine. “I was a bit nervous initially but I tend to try and keep my cool because hard work always pays off at the end.”
Earlier, West Indies chose to bat and struggled to 104 for five with only Dwayne Bravo offering any resistance. A 53-run partnership between Devon Thomas and Bravo gave some respectability to the total before New Zealand hit back.
Reduced to 180 for eight, Russell took it upon himself, hitting a 40-ball 59 to help his side post 241.
In reply, fast-bowler Tino Best took a wicket in the first over before Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill managed a slight recovery.
However, it was all Narine from that point on and while Kane Williamson made 69, wickets at regular intervals disrupted the tourists’ progress.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.