GEORGETOWN – Captain Rovman Powell conceded Sunday West Indies were not at their best after pulling off a scrappy five-wicket win over minnows Papua New Guinea in their Group C opener of the Twenty20 World Cup in Guyana.
Chasing a paltry 137 at the Guyana National Stadium Sunday, the home side slumped to 97 for five at the end of the 16th over before recovering to overhaul their target with an over to spare, thanks to a quality unbeaten 42 from all-rounder Roston Chase.
When the Caribbean side fielded, they reduced Papua New Guinea to 34 for three at the end of the sixth over but then watched as Sese Bau countered with 50 off 43 balls, to give his side a target at which to bowl.
“I think we can be better in all three departments. We have seen this team play some very good cricket,” Powell said following the game.
“Today, I wouldn’t say it was an off day but we weren’t quite up to the straps of the level that we want to play.
“I think we’re 60, 70 per cent there but it’s just for us to go back and see the things we did well today and the things that we didn’t do well, and hopefully we can correct that for the second game.”
Choosing to bowl on a slow track, West Indies controlled the power-play when they claimed two early wickets with only seven runs on the board, and continued to limit the scoring to leave Papua New Guinea drifting on 57 four at the half-way stage of the innings.
Bau then inspired a 44-run, fifth wicket stand with Charles Amini (12) before wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga frustrated West Indies even further with an 18-ball unbeaten 27 late on.
“It’s a little bit 10 or 15 [runs] too much and as a bowling group that’s something we’re looking to tighten up on,” Powell said.
“Having said that, when PNG came under pressure, their batters through the middle overs showed intent and credit has to be given to them. They played smartly.”
He continued: “Credit [has] to be given to PNG. I think their plans were simple and they played some good cricket. I think it’s important to get two points, it’s important to start well and that’s what we did.”
Powell also praised Chase’s efforts after the right-hander struck four fours and two sixes in a 27-ball knock to hold the run chase together.
“That was very good. Starting from the bowling effort I think he bowled pretty well,” Powell said.
“And then coming in the end [with the bat] when he got some pressure in the middle, to hold his composure in a World Cup game and to come out with the innings that he did, was very pleasing for us.”
West Indies take on Uganda in their second game on Saturday at the same venue.
CMC
