Mumbai, Feb 11 (NationPress) Sherfane Rutherford scored a brilliant fifty off just 29 deliveries, contributing significantly to the West Indies' recovery from a shaky start to achieve a formidable total of 196/6 in their 20 overs against England during Match 15 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

In a showdown of two-time champions, the West Indies faced early setbacks, falling to 8/2 in the second over and struggling at 77/4 at the halfway mark. However, Rutherford's explosive innings of 76 not out off 42 balls (2 fours, 7 sixes), along with valuable contributions from Chase (34) and Holder (33), propelled them to a challenging score, recalling their triumph over England in the 2016 final in Chennai.

The pitch displayed a slight green tinge, and with the ball gripping, England's decision to field first initially paid off, as their captain Harry Brook saw both Jofra Archer and Sam Curran take wickets in their first overs. Archer, despite a wayward start including three wides, managed to dismiss West Indies captain Shai Hope (0 off 3) with a simple catch to Tom Banton.

Curran struck early as well, dismissing Brandon King off his first delivery, leaving the West Indies reeling at 8/2 in the second over.

However, Roston Chase (34), who replaced Matthew Forde, and Shimron Hetmyer (23) steadied the innings with a 47-run partnership for the third wicket. Hetmyer hit Curran for a four and a six in successive balls, while Chase struck a trio of fours off Will Jacks in the fifth over, maintaining a brisk scoring rate.

Just as the West Indies seemed to gain momentum, Jamie Overton dismissed Hetmyer (23, 12 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and soon after, Chase fell lbw to a googly from Adil Rashid for 34 (29 balls, 6 fours), leaving the West Indies at 77/4.

From there, Rutherford took charge, forming critical partnerships—51 runs for the fifth wicket with Rovman Powell (14) and another vital stand for the sixth wicket with Jason Holder.

Rutherford reached his fifty off 29 balls (2 fours, 5 sixes), aggressively targeting the bowlers, including back-to-back sixes off Jacks in the 12th over. He and Holder added 61 runs for the sixth wicket, with Holder smashing 33 off 17 balls (1 four, 4 sixes), including three sixes off Curran in an explosive 17th over that yielded 20 runs. Holder was dismissed in the final over, caught at long-on off Overton after hitting another six.

Rutherford, who was dropped by Rashid earlier, struck Archer for a six and a four in the 18th over and finished the innings with a six off Overton, guiding the West Indies to a challenging total.

For England, Rashid was the standout bowler with impressive figures of 2-16 in four overs, while Overton also took two wickets (2-33), with Archer and Curran being a bit more expensive but each claiming a wicket.

Brief scores:

West Indies 196/6 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 76 not out, Roston Chase 34, Jason Holder 33; Adil Rashid 2-16, Jamie Overton 2-33) against England