Birthday special: Carlos Brathwaite – 3 Best T20 performances
“Carlos Brathwaite, Remember the name”, was the iconic statement from former West Indian cricketer Ian Bishop on commentary when Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes in the final over of the 2016 T20 World Cup final against England to clinch West Indies’ second T20 title. Unfortunately, the all-rounder didn’t reach the heights he was expected to after that miraculous innings. On the eve of his 34th Birthday, we look at some of his most eye-catching performances for the national team.
3/20 against England, 2017
Riverside Ground hosted a one-off T20I international between West Indies and hosts England in 2017. England won the toss and put the visitors into bat. The West Indies were off to a tremendous start after a brisk opening stand of 77 runs between Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis. But the team from the Caribbean lost their way in the middle overs and fizzled out for 176 in their 20 overs. England, on the other hand, were rocked early in their chase after losing Jason Roy for a golden duck. The England batters kept playing their shots but the duo of Carlos Brathwaite and Sunil Narine halted their progress and restricted them to 155 runs. Carlos Brathwaite returned with impressive figures of 3/20 as West Indies won the match by 21 runs.
34* against England, 2016
It would be unfair to the West Indian all-rounder if we don’t mention his historic innings in this list. The 2016 T20 World Cup final between England and West Indies, two of the most explosive white ball sides at the time, was held at Eden Gardens. West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first in the blockbuster clash. England were in heaps of trouble after losing their top three batters for just 23 runs, but Joe Root’s sensible 54 off 36 deliveries ensured that England finished with a par score of 155 in their 20 overs. West Indies in their chase, like their opponents, lost three early wickets for just 11 runs and were struggling. Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo stitched a vital 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but it was Carlos Brathwaite who stole the show as he smashed Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes, needing 19 off the final over to send the cricketing world into delirium.
101 against New Zealand, 2019
West Indies and New Zealand squared up in the 29th match of the 2019 ICC World Cup at Old Trafford in Manchester. New Zealand posted 291 runs on the board after being put to bat first, on the back of a marvellous 148 by Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson. The West Indies were on the back foot early in the chase after losing two quick wickets, but a 120-run stand for the third wicket between Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmeyer dragged them back into the game. A collapse of the highest order saw them lose 5 wickets for just 22 runs in the middle overs, which completely derailed their chase and the result became a mere formality. Carlos Brathwaite though had other ideas, and he registered a masterful century batting with the tail and almost got them over the line before being caught at the fence as New Zealand won the thriller by five runs.
