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Cricket World Cup day 24: New Zealand, India both survive scares

Cricket World Cup day 24: New Zealand, India both survive scares
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The Black Caps top the standings after a thrilling win over the West Indies.

New Zealand went to the top of the World Cup standings as they and India extended their unbeaten starts to the tournament – although both teams survived major scares.

A final over hat-trick from Mohammed Shami ushered India to an 11-run victory over rock-bottom Afghanistan, who came close to causing a seismic upset victory at the Hampshire Bowl, where they were all out for 213 in response to their opponents' meagre 224 for eight.

At Old Trafford, meanwhile, the West Indies slipped to 164 for seven in pursuit of 292, but Carlos Brathwaite's maiden international hundred took them to within one six of victory, only for the all-rounder to hole out as New Zealand squeaked home by five runs.

Tweet of the day

India great Virender Sehwag knows his side were given their sternest examination in the 2019 World Cup so far by a side that have struggled to create many ripples. An upset – arguably the greatest in the tournament's 44-year history – at the Hampshire Bowl was in the offing in the final over but Shami's treble got a visibly-relieved Indian side over the line.

World Cup snapshot

Carlos Brathwaite
Carlos Brathwaite drops to his knees after being caught on the boundary when a six would have won the game for the West Indies (David Davies/PA)

Tournament tracker

CRICKET WorldCup Wrap
PA Graphics

Quote of the day

India's middle-order batsman hailed Shami for his ability to handle the pressure after the first ball of the final over had been thumped down the ground for four by Mohammad Nabi.

Stat's all folks

India recorded their lowest total for nine years when batting first in ODIs and completing the full 50 overs, their worst return since 194 for nine against Zimbabwe in Harare in June 2010.

Top of the shots

Carlos Brathwaite
Brathwaite struck nine fours and five sixes in his 82-ball 101 (David Davies/PA)

The Windies looked to be dead and buried as they lurched from 142 for two to 164 for seven but that merely set the stage for Brathwaite. Kane Williamson's masterful 148 was upstaged in spectacular style by the big-hitting all-rounder, who rose to prominence with a hail of sixes against England in the 2016 World Twenty20 final. He was at it again under the floodlights in Manchester, butchering boundaries with abandon. His third successive six off Matt Henry the best of the lot, carving a full toss over wide long-off. As he went for a final decisive blow he was caught in the deep for a spectacular 101, the last man out.

Money ball

Rohit Sharma fired 122 against South Africa, 57 against Australia and a fine 140 to subdue fierce rivals Pakistan. But the big-scoring opener could not extend that form any further, misreading a fine delivery from Mujeeb Ur Rahman to walk for just one run. Mujeeb's astute delivery held its line, teasing the batsman into expecting the turn – when instead it clipped off stump. Honourable mentions go to the last two deliveries of Shami's treble, castling Aftab Alam and Mujeeb.

Top run-scorers

  1. David Warner (Aus) - 447
  2. Shakib Al Hasan (Ban) - 425
  3. Joe Root (Eng) - 424

What's next?

June 23: Pakistan v South Africa at Lord's

Table

CRICKET WorldCup Wrap
PA Graphics
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India's Kedar Jadhav in action against Afghanistan on June 22, 2019
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