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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Shay Hope hit 82 runs with six in 39 deliveries as West Indies revived their Super Eights momentum by defeating co-hosts United States by nine wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday.
After losing to England in their first Super Eight, West Indies needed a win and a big improvement in their goal difference, both of which they achieved at Kensington Oval to move up to second in Group Two, just behind their next opponents, unbeaten South Africa.
Although the toss was postponed due to a brief spell of rain, the stadium was packed and the action did not stop. Barbados off-spin bowler Roston Chase took 3-19 and fast bowler Andre Russell 3-31 as the Americans were bowled out for 128 runs.
Hope hit eight sixes and four boundaries, while Nicholas Pooran smashed 27 runs off 12 balls to provide stellar help for West Indies, which surpassed the meagre total in just 10.5 overs.
“We have to give kudos to the lads, we set a target and we did it,” said West Indies captain Rovman Powell, who is already looking forward to the possibility of returning to Bridgetown for the final.
“Kensington holds special memories for us. It is the Mecca of cricket in the Caribbean… Hopefully we can be here again on the 29th and play cricket in a special place.”
Andries Gous gave the United States a spirited start, with fast bowlers Obed McCoy and Alzarri Joseph conceding 12 and 15 runs respectively in their first overs.
Gus took advantage of a scoring opportunity lost by Joseph but was beaten by Hope for 29 runs, with three fours and a six all coming from the same bowler.
Left-arm spin bowler Akeal Hosein had better control at the other end with the new ball, conceding just 13 runs in the first three overs.
Chase dealt a major blow to his team by beating dangerous American captain Aaron Jones with 11 points, and the Americans were in trouble at 69-4 at the midway point of the match.
Hope immediately launched an attack for West Indies, hitting the ball to all corners of the pitch, hitting four sixes and four boundaries in 28 balls to reach his half-century, while the American fielders chased the ball in vain around the pitch.
Hope was certainly delighted by the warm welcome given to him by the Barbadian crowd as the team left the field.
“It was great to do it at home with my parents and friends watching,” he said.
“This is my favourite place to play cricket. Winning the World Cup is our destiny and our goal.”
The Americans felt they were 50 runs short of the innings when they came out to bat, but Jones was not ready to concede that their fairytale run in the tournament was over.
“It was a tough night for the guys, to be honest with you,” Jones said.
“We didn’t have our best performance tonight, that’s how it is sometimes. We will start again and give everything we have against England on Sunday.”
The United States will remain in Barbados for their final Super Eight match, while the West Indies will travel to Antigua to take on South Africa later on Sunday.
(Additional reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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