Captain Rovman Powell admitted that the West Indies did not perform at their best despite securing a scrappy five-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea in their Group C opener of the Twenty20 World Cup in Guyana.
Chasing a modest 137 at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, the home side found themselves struggling at 97 for five by the end of the 16th over. However, a quality unbeaten 42 from all-rounder Roston Chase saw them reach their target with an over to spare.
When fielding, the Caribbean side had Papua New Guinea reeling at 34 for three by the end of the sixth over but faced a counter-attack as Sese Bau hit 50 off 43 balls, giving his side a defendable total.
“I think we can be better in all three departments. We have seen this team play some very good cricket,” Powell said after 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.
Two early wickets for just seven runs
“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.”
Opting to bowl on a slow track, West Indies initially controlled the power-play by claiming two early wickets for just seven runs. They continued to restrict Papua New Guinea, leaving them at 57 for four by the midway point of the innings.
Bau then inspired a 44-run, fifth-wicket stand with Charles Amini (12), and wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga added an unbeaten 27 off 18 balls late on to further frustrate the West Indies bowlers.
“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 noted. “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.”
It’s important to get two points
Powell 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.”
He also praised Chase’s efforts, acknowledging the right-hander’s crucial contribution with both bat and ball. Chase struck four fours and two sixes in his 27-ball knock, holding 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 will face Uganda in their second game on Saturday at the same venue.
