T20 World Cup: Rutherford's 76, Motie's 3/32 Lead West Indies To 30-Run Win Over England

Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 and Gudakesh Motie’s 3/32 twice thwarted England’s charge, leading West Indies to a crucial 30-run victory in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match on Wednesday.

With the win, West Indies strayed top of the points table in Group C.

How West Indies Beat England?

Rutherford showcased his Caribbean flair with a 42-ball 76 not out, hitting five sixes and two fours, captivating the 21,300-strong crowd at Wankhede Stadium. The West Indies spinners, led by Motie, capitalised on the surface’s grip to deny England in their chase.

Chasing a target of 197, England’s batsmen failed to convert starts, collapsing for 166 in 19 overs, with Sam Curran top-scoring with 43 not out.

Phil Salt (30 off 14 balls; 4 fours, 2 sixes) gave England a flying start,

smashing Jason Holder for 24 runs in the second over. However, Salt’s aggressive approach led to his dismissal, playing straight to Rutherford at cover off Romario Shepherd.

Despite reaching 67/1 in the powerplay, England lost Jos Buttler (21) after he hit a six off Roston Chase but then played the next ball straight to Powell at long-on.

Motie then struck twice in quick succession, exploiting the surface’s grip. He had Tom Banton (2) caught at cover and bowled Jacob Bethell (33) with a chinaman delivery, reducing England to 93/4 at the halfway mark.

England managed occasional boundaries, but West Indies’ spinners continued to chip away. Motie dismissed skipper Harry Brook (17) with a sharp diving return catch, and Chase trapped Will Jacks (2) leg-before, leaving England struggling at 135/6 after 15 overs.

England lost another wicket to spin when Jamie Overton (5) was caught by Powell off Akeal Hosein’s (1/32) final over.

Earlier, Rutherford’s blistering half-century led West Indies to a formidable 196/6 after a slow start. He revived the innings, which had slumped to 79/4 midway through, on a true batting wicket.

Rutherford scored 51 runs with Powell (14) for the fifth wicket and added 61 runs off 32 balls with Holder (33 off 17 balls; 1 four, 4 sixes).

Rutherford was supported by Test skipper Chase (34) at No. 4 during a lull, and Holder’s three sixes in an over from Sam Curran provided a late boost. Holder relieved pressure on Rutherford, who was dropped by Adil Rashid (2/16) in the 18th over.

Rashid, recovering from a rough outing against Nepal, bowled four economical overs, generating sharp turn and dismissing Chase and Powell.

West Indies had a poor start, slipping to 8/2. Jofra Archer (1/48) struggled for control, and skipper Shai Hope was caught by Banton off Archer. Curran (1/36) then had Brandon King caught by the sweeper cover.

Chase attempted to change the momentum with three consecutive fours off Jacks in the fifth over, while Shimron Hetmyer hit a six. However, the innings struggled for rhythm initially.

Jamie Overton (2/33) outsmarted the in-form Hetmyer (23) with a sequence of fuller deliveries followed by a slower short ball, resulting in a top-edge catch to short fine-leg, where Curran completed an easy catch.

Before his dismissal, Hetmyer hit a couple of sixes and fours, including one off Curran’s ‘Moon Ball’.

(With inputs from Agencies)