West Indies vs Italy Highlights, T20 World Cup: West Indies crush Italy to make it four out of four

Clean slate! So West Indies become the third team after South Africa and India to end the league stage with 4 wins in 4 matches. They go in with full confidence as they begin their Super Eights campaign against Zimbabwe, after a bit of a break, on Monday, 23rd February, 2026, at the Wankhede, in an evening match (1.30 pm GMT). Tough finish for Italy, who end with just a solitary win from the tournament, but walk away with their heads held high, finishing fourth, maybe, with a case of what-ifs. However, they have enthralled many a fan in the world and one would hope that we get to see a lot more of this unit in the future. We are done from the Eden Gardens, but the afternoon clash between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe has just kicked off in Colombo, at the Premadasa, with the Lankans opting to bat first. Do hop in to that matchcentre to catch all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Need to be ruthless in our display - The victorious skipper of West Indies. SHAI HOPE, feels that the pitch was pretty decent. Adds that his batters should have got a bit more on the board. Understands that they got a few unfamiliar bowlers to face, but reckons that they could put a bit more impetus in the middle overs of the innings. Goes on to say that with due respect to Italy, when the Windies will face bigger and tougher oppositions, they need to put the bad balls away.

Important for all associate nations to be funded - The captain of Italy, HARRY MANENTI, says that his side was really confident and he is happy with their performance with the ball. Details that they knew about the firepower of the West Indies and to limit them to 165 with a shorter boundary was really commendable. On early Powerplay wickets during the chase, Manenti admits that losing wickets at crucial times, both in this game and against England has hurt his side. Rues the fact that they just could not get any partnerships going.

Player Of The Match - For his stylish 75 (46). West Indies' skipper SHAI HOPE has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Hope says that he always thinks about himself as to how can he contribute. Explains that in a game, he is only batting other than keeping. Feels that the Windies could have had more impetus with the batting at the back end, but is still happy with the result. On the preparations and plans for this clash, Shai admits that when you face an unfamiliar opposition, you are pretty unsure what you could get. Adds that you do plan, but there isn't much information. Hence, he says that the Caribbeans tried to put more pressure against the new ball with the bat, and although they could not get too many, is pretty happy with the way his batters went about it.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

No firepower - It is not often that we say that a West Indian innings lacked bite. After being put into bat, the Windies too, struggled with the bat. Barring skipper Shai Hope, who was brilliant with a fine 75 (46), only three others managed to reach double digits, which is pretty much like how Italy batted as well. It was a strange innings, with momentum not quite coming for the two-time champions for too long. Eventually, they managed to get to 165/6, which was at least 15-20 runs short, but their bowling attack made it look like a 190. Italy did their bit with the ball, not allowing the game to drift for too long. Barring Grant Stewart, everyone managed to contribute well, although Benjamin Manenti received a bit of a tap towards the end. Crishan Kalugamage stood out once again.  Please stay tuned for the presentation.

No momentum - Italy simply did not any momentum during the run chase. 166 was by no means, a massive target but they just could not get things rolling at any stage. Lost the top three inside the Powerplay and struggled to forge a partnership at any stage. The highest partnership they managed was 25, when, for a brief moment, it seemed like Benjamin Manenti and Grant Stewart could achieve the task which had become mountainous by then. Just four batters managed double digits in a scorecard which had Mr. Extras as the fourth-highest scorer with a tally of 15.

Team bowling effort - 3-0-19-0 for Jason Holder. 9 with the bat earlier. In his 300th international game, he could not contribute much, but will gladly take his team's win. He is the only one of the 5-man attack who went wicketless, with Shamar Joseph and Matthew Forde sharing 7 wickets between them. In fact, it was a day out for the smiling assassin, Shamar -  who not only picked 4 wickets, but also took 4 catches! There was hardly any passage of play where the bowling side seemed to be in pressure, as the Windies just did not allow any partnership to build. Additionally, they did not allow the opposition batters to run along with the score at any rate.

Comprehensive win - Not the strongest of displays by West Indies, but they will take this win. The score put up by the batters seemed to be a bit light but the bowlers have more than made up for it, dismissing an opposition for the third time in 4 games this edition. It seems very strange, but possibly for the first time since 2012, we can say that the bowling unit is working wonders for the Caribbeans.

17.6: Shamar Joseph to Ali Hasan, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! That's it, it's all over for Italy. Shamar Joseph is absolutely pumped and why shouldn't he be? Four catches to go along with four wickets, a very rare feat, indeed. Joseph hammers the ball on a good length around off and extracts extra bounce thanks to his brisk pace. Ali Hasan backs away, trying to slash it away but gets a thin outside edge through to the keeper. Shai Hope takes a comfortable catch and Italy are bowled out for 123 runs in a chase of 166. WEST INDIES WIN BY 42 RUNS!

17.5: Shamar Joseph to Ali Hasan, Full and straight, right in the blockhole, Ali Hasan digs it out well.

Boy, that was a longggg wait for both, the dismissed and the new batters. Ali Hasan is the last batter in, replacing Thomas Draca. Not that it would matter, but at least for price, Italy would love to finish off the game by playing out their 20 overs.

17.4: Shamar Joseph to Thomas Draca, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust. Hang on, there's a No Ball check for height. Thomas Draca is on his way back but is asked to stand his ground. Draca is a tall man but the ball seems to be just dipping a bit. Well, well, Draca is jogging back to the crease, or is he? A lot of confusion as Draca is asked to wait again. No one knows what's going on here. Even Langton Rusere, the on-field umpire, is having a chuckle. Finally, the technology confirms that it is a fair delivery and Draca will have to walk back. Coming to the delivery, this is a high full toss over middle, Thomas Draca makes room but ends up angling it straight to Roston Chase at backward point, who makes no mistake. Not the best of deliveries from Shamar Joseph but he won't mind getting a wicket here. 

17.3: Shamar Joseph to Thomas Draca, FOUR! Nicely done. A short ball, at the body, but Thomas Draca backs away and ramps it over the keeper, to the deep third fence.

17.2: Shamar Joseph to Crishan Kalugamage, Full and around off, Crishan leans and pushes it through mid on for a single.

17.1: Shamar Joseph to Crishan Kalugamage, Wasn't there a noise? No one reacts. Might be the excess amount of wax in my ears. Short and wide outside off, Kalugamage slashes but misses. I certainly heard a noise, but does not matter...

17.1: Shamar Joseph to Crishan Kalugamage, WIDE. Dug in short, down the leg side, Crishan Kalugamage looks to tuck but misses.

We will have a bowling change at this end, as Gudakesh Motie has bowled out. Shamar Joseph will bowl out now. 3-0-25-2 so far.

16.6: Matthew Forde to Crishan Kalugamage, Nice and full, outside off, jammed down to long off for a single. Matthew Forde's fine spell of bowling comes to an end. 4-0-19-3, for him in this game.

16.5: Matthew Forde to Thomas Draca, Forde looks to go full and wide again, ends up bowling a full toss. Draca scythes it away through backward point and picks up a single.

Into the bowlers now. Thomas Draca walks in next, at number 10, replacing Gian-Piero Meade.

16.4: Matthew Forde to Gian-Piero Meade, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the fielder and Matthew Forde now has his third wicket. Forde sticks to his plans and serves a full ball, well wide of the off stump. Gian-Piero Meade reaches for it and looks to hit it over point but ends up slicing it. Shamar Joseph takes it around waist height and that is his fourth catch of the innings. West Indies are just two wickets away from sealing things now.

16.3: Matthew Forde to Gian-Piero Meade, Pace off, on a length, miles outside off. Would have been a wide, but Gian-Piero gets a long way across and looks to pull, failing to connect. He is targetting that shorter boundary on the leg side.

16.2: Matthew Forde to Gian-Piero Meade, Another similar ball. Meade is standing outside his leg stump and hence, cannot reach the ball. It lands well inside the wide guideline.

16.1: Matthew Forde to Gian-Piero Meade, Excellent yorker, wide outside off, Gian-Piero Meade gets across to drive but cannot lay bat on ball.

Not quite sure what to make of this run chase now. 51 runs needed, 24 balls remaining does seem doable. But with just 3 wickets in hand... Crishan Kalugamage walks in next, at number 9, replacing Benjamin Manenti. Matthew Forde comes back on as well. 3-0-17-2 so far.

15.6: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, OUT! TIMBER! Gudakesh Motie answers right back and sends Benjamin Manenti packing. Slightly short again, this time around off but a bit slower from Motie. Benjamin Manenti backs away, looking to pull off the back foot but is early in the swipe. The ball takes a bottom edge and goes back onto the stumps. It seems like Italy's resistance is slowly but surely coming to an end. Motie ends with figures of 4-0-24-2.

15.5: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, SIX! Oh, that's the Italian muscle from Benjamin Manenti. Short ball, angled into middle, Benjamin Manenti rocks back and swats it flat and wide of long on for a biggie. Italy need more of these from Ben now.

15.4: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Oh, half a chance for caught and bowled but that's gone through. Floated up on middle and leg, Benjamin Manenti comes down the pitch and pushes it uppishly to the right of the bowler. Motie leaps up to his right and goes at it with both hands but the ball goes through. Matthew Forde at long on runs to his left and puts in a valiant slide to stop the boundary, parrying the ball to Rovman Powell, who mops up and keeps it down to two runs.

15.3: Gudakesh Motie to Gian-Piero Meade, Down the leg side, swept behind square leg for a run.

15.2: Gudakesh Motie to Gian-Piero Meade, Around off, pushed to the off side.

The physio is out in the middle to check on King, who is still sitting, not even standing. That indicates that he is pretty dazed. And KING IS GOING OFF. Quentin Sampson is the substitute for King.

15.1: Gudakesh Motie to Gian-Piero Meade, DROPPED! A rare blemish in the field and it might be more than just a missed opportunity for the West Indies. Brandon King is down on the ground. Full, around off, Gian-Piero Meade looks to play the slog sweep but gets a massive top edge, which goes towards the leg side. Now, there are two fielders for that catch - Brandon King going back from short mid-wicket, while Rovman Powell coming in from deep mid-wicket. Ideally, it should always be the guy running forward but Powell stops after taking a couple of steps. Probably because King was going for the catch. As things would have it, the ball is beyond King's head and while backtracking, he misses the ball, as it goes through his fingers and then, he lands very badly, banging the turf with his head. Powell looks concerned and is asking King whether he is okay, as the batters take a couple of runs.

Gudakesh Motie will bowl out now. 3-0-13-1 so far.

14.6: Shamar Joseph to Gian-Piero Meade, Length ball at the stumps, Gian-Piero Meade walks down the pitch and clips it away wide of square leg for a single.

Another budding stand broken in the 20s. Gian-Piero Meade walks in next, at number 8, replacing Grant Stewart.

14.5: Shamar Joseph to Grant Stewart, OUT! CAUGHT! Shamar Joseph strikes right after the break and Italy lose their 6th wicket. Shamar goes full and straight again, searching for the yorker but misses his length again. This is a bit in the slot but is quick at 144.8 kph. Grant Stewart looks to get under it and lift it over long off but can't get the timing right. The ball gets chipped down to long off, where Jason Holder uses those buckets for hands to pouch it safely. 63 needed now off 31 balls.

14.4: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, Joseph tries the yorker but errs on the fuller side. A low full toss, slanted into middle and leg. Manenti backs away but only manages to jam it out to mid off for a single.

14.3: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, FOUR MORE! Shamar goes full pace, on middle and leg, a touch short of full, Benjamin Manenti heaves hard and gets it off the inner half of the bat. This one too, races away, to the backward square leg fence this time! 100 UP FOR ITALY, 64 more needed from 33 balls.

14.2: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, FOUR! That ball has just raced away! On a length, outside off, Manenti gives himself a tinge of room to the leg side and punches it behind point. There is a deep third and he races to his right but once the ball lands on the practice pitches, it just accelerates and beats the fielder to his right, who barely had around 10 metres to cover! 68 more needed from 34 balls.

14.1: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, Full and down the leg side, Benjamin Manenti looks to flick but misses. The ball goes of his pads to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. Raunak Kapoor on air is hopeful for the chasing side, stating that despite the required rate rising to 12 an over, it is gettable at the Eden Gardens. The problem for Italy is the wickets. He is not entirely wrong, but just that we feel that Italy have simply lacked momentum in this run chase. Forget the wickets for now, but there haven't been many overs where they have had the upper hand. Only 4 have gone for double digits and given the required rate, every over needs to go big now. After an indifferent start, West Indies have got their lines and lengths together. At one end, they are drying up the runs through spin, while at the other, hustling the batters for pace. Except of course, when Holder is bowling, because he is primarily concentrating on pace-off deliveries. Just a 2-over break for Shamar Joseph as he is back on. 2-0-14-1 so far.

13.6: Akeal Hosein to Benjamin Manenti, A quiet over, just 6 singles of it. Floated on the pads, swept away along the turf and through backward square leg for a run.

13.5: Akeal Hosein to Grant Stewart, Flatter one, angled into the batter. Stewart backs away and jams it to the man at cover. The fielder is right on the edge of the circle and the batters get a single with ease.

13.4: Akeal Hosein to Benjamin Manenti, Turns off a length, around middle, hit away with an open bat face through square covers for a single.

13.3: Akeal Hosein to Grant Stewart, Short again, outside off, slapped wide of long off, to his left, for one.

13.2: Akeal Hosein to Benjamin Manenti, Could that have been taken? Will spark a debate. Short, outside off, Benjamin Manenti rocked back and hit it in the air. He mistimed it and the ball was travelling towards long off. Rovman Powell at long off had a split second to decide whether to charge in for the catch or stay back and stop the boundary. Chose the latter and took the ball on the bounce. A run taken. However, knowing about his exploits in the field, we reckon that had he charged for the catch, he might have got to the ball with a dive.

13.1: Akeal Hosein to Grant Stewart, Short, around off, Grant Stewart goes back and cuts it through point for a single.

4 on the trot for Motie? Not quite. Akeal Hosein is back on now. 2-0-19-1 so far.

12.6: Jason Holder to Grant Stewart, That in-between length, straighter in line, pushed down to long on for a single. 78 needed now off 42 balls. Italy hanging in the game.

12.5: Jason Holder to Grant Stewart, SIX! NAILED IT! A short ball from Holder, dug in over middle stump. Grant Stewart is already half-expecting it and waits back before clobbering the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

12.4: Jason Holder to Grant Stewart, Sweetly timed by Stewart. Fuller than a good length, sliding on, Grant Stewart presses halfway forward and punches it wide of deep point. The fielder runs around to his right and cuts it off, keeping it down to two runs.

12.3: Jason Holder to Benjamin Manenti, Outside off, eased through cover-point for a single.

12.2: Jason Holder to Benjamin Manenti, Slower ball, wide outside off, on a length, Manenti tries to slash but misses.

12.1: Jason Holder to Benjamin Manenti, Full and straight, Benjamin Manenti misses out, getting a thick inside edge onto his pads, looking to flick.

Cannot call that a partnership, but still, somethng was buzzing for Italy. The 21-run stand has been the highest a pair has managed in this innings so far and even that has been broken now. Grant Stewart walks in next, at number 7, replacing JJ Smuts. Jason Holder returns as well. 2-0-9-0 so far, as Shamar Joseph gets a breather.

11.6: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, OUT! CAUGHT! The bigger boundary comes into play and it works in favour of the bowler. Tossed up, full and around leg. JJ Smuts goes down on one knee to sweep but hits it flat and behind square leg. Shamar Joseph is waiting patiently on the backward square leg fence and he just sits down halfway and pouches a simple chance. The brewing partnership worth 21 runs is broken as Smuts is finally put out of his misery. 88 needed now off 48 balls.

11.5: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Motie keeps bowling it full and angles this one just down the leg side. Manenti backs away a bit before looking to sweep but gets it off the pads. The ball rolls to the right of short fine leg and they get a leg bye.

11.4: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Full and darted in towards middle and leg, Smuts steps out and heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a run.

11.3: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Short and outside off, Benjamin goes back and drags it through mid on for one.

11.3: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, WIDE. Fired again, but down the leg side. Manenti looks to sweep but misses.

11.2: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, A bit quicker, just short of full, around middle and leg, JJ Smuts goes back and works it through mid on for a run.

11.1: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Short, around off, Benjamin Manenti goes back and drags the ball towards long on for a single.

10.6: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, Shorter now, angled at the batter, Manenti stands tall and pulls it down through mid-wicket for one. 11 runs off the 11th over for Italy.

10.5: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, On a good length around off and middle, shoots up off the deck. Smuts awkwardly fends it into the off side and picks up a single.

10.4: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, FOUR MORE! Joseph drags the length back a bit too much, bowling it short and outside off. JJ Smuts waits back for it and flays it through the backward point region for another boundary.

10.3: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, FOUR! The two-card trick. But it does not work for Shamar. After bowling it short and fast, he now goes for the fuller ball or the yorker, to surprise the batter. But Smuts is waiting for the same and knows the plan. And to add, Shamar misses his length, overpitching the ball on middle and leg. Flicked through mid-wicket for a boundary.

10.2: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, That's sheer pace. Short, outside off, JJ Smuts looks to cut but the ball whizzes past his vizor even before he can complete his shot.

10.1: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, On a length, pretty fast, at the batter's body, Benjamin Manenti looks to swing but gets it off the inner half of the bat behind square leg. A single taken.

Halfway mark reached. Italy - 61/4 | West Indies - 76/2. That's the comparison.

9.6: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Cut away but straight to the fielder. Fractionally short from Motie, JJ Smuts rocks back and smears it to point for a dot ball. Italy need 105 more off 60 balls.

9.5: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Nice and full again, lobbed up around middle, Manenti strokes it down to long on and turns the strike over.

9.4: Gudakesh Motie to Benjamin Manenti, Nicely flighted, full and on middle and leg, Benjamin Manenti backs away and just eases it back to the bowler.

9.3: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Down the leg side, Smuts looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The batters take the leg bye off the deflection.

9.2: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Full and down the leg side, Smuts defends it solidly.

9.1: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Short, outside off, JJ Smuts punches it through the covers. For a major portion of the ball's journey, it seems like the destination of the boundary will be reached. But along comes the local lad, Rovman Powell, trundling to his left, sticks out his left leg and casually, stops the ball and the boundary. Two runs taken. Still wondering? Rovman plays for KKR in the IPL.

8.6: Shamar Joseph to Benjamin Manenti, That's hit the bat hard! A touch fuller around off, at around 143 kph, Benjamin Manenti leans on to block but gets hit high on the bat. 3 runs and a wicket off Shamar's first over.

Italy are being done in by pace here. 3 of the 4 wickets have gone to the seamers so far. Brother replaces brother as Benjamin Manenti comes in next at number 6, replacing his skipper, Harry Manenti.

8.5: Shamar Joseph to Harry Manenti, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The extra pace and bounce does the job for Shamar Joseph. Joseph consistently hits that in-between length and bowls this one around the fifth stump line, at a brisk pace. Harry Manenti's feet are rooted to the crease and he tries to slash it away but gets an outside edge through to the keeper. Shai Hope gobbles it up to his right and Italy are 4 down for just 57. 109 more needed off 67 balls.

8.4: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, Good running. Pitched up full and on off, Smuts pushes it to mid off and scampers through to the other end.

8.3: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, Shorter in length now, outside off, JJS goes for the pull but is beaten by pace again.

8.2: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, Beautifully bowled. On a length, outside off, coming in, JJ plays for the angle but the ball lands and then seams away, squaring the batter up and beating the outside edge. Just about takes the off stump along as well.

8.1: Shamar Joseph to JJ Smuts, Dug in short, outside off, JJ Smuts looks to slap it over the off side but is beaten by pace. The ball hits high on the bat and flies in the air, but lands in no human's land between long off and cover. Two runs taken.

Spin from both ends? Nope. Pace from one end. Shamar Joseph comes into the attack now.

7.6: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Tidy start for Motie, five singles off his first over. Drifted into leg stump, not all that full, Smuts camps back and nudges it through square leg for one more.

7.5: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Manenti, Full and on the pads, clipped away towards backward square leg for a single.

7.4: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Manenti, Flatter and bit fuller outside off, Manenti gets caught on the back foot and just jams it out to cover.

7.3: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Shorter and quicker, outside off, 79.2 kph, Smuts goes back and punches it through point for one.

7.2: Gudakesh Motie to Harry Manenti, Tossed up, around off, Harry Manenti drives it through mid off for a run.

7.1: Gudakesh Motie to JJ Smuts, Full and down the leg side, JJ Smuts leans and works it through square leg for a single. 50 UP FOR ITALY, 116 more needed from 77 balls.

Finally, spin returns. This time, in the form of Gudakesh Motie.

6.6: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, A dot to finish but 12 runs come off it, a positive one for Italy. Back of a length and outside off, tapped away into the off side. 117 more needed off 78 balls.

6.5: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, FOUR LEG BYES! Poor line from Holder and Italy get a free boundary here. Full and slanted down leg, Manenti misses the tickle and the ball brushes his pads, rolling away past the keeper and into the fine leg fence.

6.4: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, SIX! There's a man right where Harry Manenti has hit that but it doesn't matter. Short of a length and outside off, Harry hangs back and moves past the off stump, shovelling the pull right over the head of the deep backward square leg fielder for a biggie.

6.3: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, Outside off, back of a length, pushed straight to point.

6.3: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, WIDE. A theatrical appeal for a catch down the leg side, but the umpire is way too experienced. Stretches both his arms. Down the leg side, Manenti missed his flick. Hope went up with a massive caught behind appeal, to try and distract the umpire, but could not get his wish.

6.2: Jason Holder to Harry Manenti, 6th dot ball in his first 8 balls. Some start by Holder. On a length, outside off, Harry Manenti looks to dab it behind point and run but the fielder comes in quickly and stops the batter.

6.1: Jason Holder to JJ Smuts, Full and outside off, JJ Smuts leans and works it through mid on for a single.

Time for prolonged spin? Not quite. Mr. 300 continues.

5.6: Matthew Forde to Harry Manenti, A dot to end what has been Italy's worst Powerplay of this tournament, as mentioned by Ian Bishop on air. Just back of a length, angled in from outside off, Harry Manenti dabs it off the inner half of the blade and back to the bowler. Italy are 37/3 after 6 overs.

Skipper time. The Azzurri have lost three in the Powerplay and the captain has to steer the ship to calmer waters. Harry Manenti walks in next, at number 5, replacing Syed Naqvi.

5.5: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Forde's brilliant run in the Powerplay continues and he gets his second wicket. Bowled on a good length and bit wide of the off stump. The ball shapes away as well. Syed Naqvi stays leg side of the delivery and throws the hands at it but because of the away movement, the ball catches the bottom part of the blade and gets skied up over the mid off region. Shamar Joseph back-pedals and takes a well-judged catch over his head. Italy are now 37/3, needing 129 more off 85 balls.

5.4: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, Well bowled! A surprise bumper, over off stump, comes in around helmet height. Syed Naqvi swings and misses and the ball shapes away after going past the batter.

5.3: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, Excellent work from Shimron Hetmyer. Fractionally short, around middle and off, Syed pulls this behind square on the leg side. This time, the ball does travel across the turf but Hetmyer charges to his right from deep square leg, dives and stops the ball, keeping the batters to a couple. 129 more needed from 87 balls.

5.2: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, On a length, but down the leg side, Naqvi goes for the heave and because it is the big side of the ground, does not quite travel. The fielder from deep square leg gets to the ball and the batters get a couple of runs.

The physio has come out to the middle for a concussion check and the umpires take the opportunity to take the DRINKS BREAK. Barring that one match against Nepal, the Powerplay has not been kind to Italy. As per Simon Doull on air, they lose at least 2 wickets on an average in the Powerplay in this edition and once again, the same has transpired. Early wickets do give you a massive setback and even if the target seems gettable, it puts a lot of pressure on the middle order. The Windies have not been at their best, but have done well to not let Italy get away from them. We are about to resume, but I am not sure that Naqvi is feeling 100 percent. He is still shaking his head, which probably indicates that the dizziness might just be there. But he is continuing.

5.1: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, That has rattled the helmet! A short ball, outside off, Syed Naqvi goes for the pull but the ball shoots back with pace, beats his bat and rams onto the back of the helmet. He does look a bit off, the batter, but thankfully, is okay physically at least.

Final over of the Powerplay. Will Akeal bowl another inside the fielding restrictions? Nope, in fact, Forde will bowl three on the trot.

4.6: Jason Holder to JJ Smuts, Another dot to end a very tidy first over from Holder, with just a single off it. Fullish length angled into the pads, JJ Smuts fails to get it away. 133 needed now off 90 balls.

4.5: Jason Holder to JJ Smuts, A swing and a miss and Smuts is starting to get bogged down here. Good-length delivery in the channel, shaping away, Smuts plants his front foot ahead and looks to loft it over mid off but is well beaten.

4.4: Jason Holder to JJ Smuts, A touch fuller on leg, straightens down the line, Smuts looks to flick but ends up defending it down the pitch.

4.3: Jason Holder to Syed Naqvi, Short and wide outside off, Syed throws his bat at it again. Gets it off the outer half of his bat and the ball flies down towards deep backward point. Sherfane Rutherford tries to get across to his right from deep third, but the ball lands in front. A single taken.

4.2: Jason Holder to Syed Naqvi, On a length, outside off, Naqvi blasts it out, but cannot beat cover.

4.1: Jason Holder to Syed Naqvi, Full and straight, Syed Naqvi pushes it down towards mid on.

Interesting. Akeal is off the attack. The man playing his 300th international game, Jason Holder, comes onto bowl.

3.6: Matthew Forde to JJ Smuts, A polite enquiry for LBW, turned down. Good length, around middle and shaping back in. JJ Smuts looks to flick it away but plays all around a straight ball and gets hit on the pads once again. More of an appeal from the West Indies this time, but again, it seems to be missing leg and a bit too high as well. 

3.5: Matthew Forde to JJ Smuts, Back of a length, over off and middle, seams in a touch. Smuts plays completely down the wrong line and wears it on the thigh pad this time.

3.4: Matthew Forde to JJ Smuts, Doing too much! On a good length and on off, this one pitches and darts back in a long way. JJ Smuts looks to block but gets pinged on the pads. Might have been too high as well.

3.3: Matthew Forde to JJ Smuts, FOUR! Dropped short, outside off, JJ Smuts stays back and pulls it, almost like a short-arm jab, through mid-wicket, for a boundary.

3.2: Matthew Forde to JJ Smuts, On a length, outside off, Smuts punches it towards cover.

Another delay now. Naqvi seems to be having an issue with something. Seems like his left knee, by the looks of it. The physio is out in the middle now. Oh dear. Syed is on his back side now. The physio is doing a few stretches to his left leg. Hopefully, it is just a cramp. All in readiness now.

3.1: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, Dragged short, outside off, Naqvi drags this behind square on the leg side for a single, to get off the mark.

3.1: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, WIDE. On a length, going down the leg side with the angle, Syed Naqvi looks to pull but misses. 139 more needed from 102 balls.

Two contradictory overs from Hosein. A boundary on the last ball spoilt his first over, while a wicket on the last ball has glorified his second. JJ Smuts walks in next, at number 4, replacing Anthony Mosca.

2.6: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, OUT! CAUGHT! Akeal Hosein fires back and gets his man. Akeal lobs the ball full and on leg stump, but gives it a lot more air. Anthony Mosca lunges across to get inside the line of the ball and sweep but mistimes it straight to short fine leg. The ball loops up and Shamar Joseph takes a couple of steps to his left and hangs on to a simple catch. Both Mosca brothers are now back in the hut and Italy still need 140 more off 102 balls.

2.5: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, SIX! High and handsome! Floated up a bit fuller on middle, angling in, Anthony Mosca sits down and gets under the flight of the ball, lifting it a long way over deep mid-wicket for another biggie. Italy are living up to their reputation of being the most consistent six-hitters in this year's competition, as mentioned on air by Simon Doull. They average a six nearly every 10 balls and we have already seen 2 of them in 17 balls.

2.4: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, Excellent work from Shimron Hetmyer. Slightly short, darts back into the stumps, Mosca backs away and punches it firmly to the left of short cover, where Hetmyer dives and parries it to cover-point.

2.3: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, SIX! POUNDED! That is the short side of the ground, but would have cleared the ropes on many grounds. Fractionally short, around off, Anthony Mosca gets down on a knee and slog-pulls this powerfully over mid-wicket, for the first biggie of the chase! 146 more needed from 105 balls.

2.2: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, On middle and leg, pretty full, Mosca drives it straight to mid off.

2.1: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, Tossed up, outside off, Anthony Mosca hammers this straight back over the bowler's head. Doesn't time it perfectly and that allows mid off to catch up with the ball. Two runs taken.

1.6: Matthew Forde to Syed Naqvi, Another nip-backer from Forde to end a successful over. On a hard length and outside off, curves back into the right-hander. Syed Naqvi taps it to the right of point for a dot.

Early strike by the West Indies. They get into a huddle now. Roston Chase is full of expressions, trying to pump the group up, Syed Naqvi walks in next, at number 3, replacing Justin Mosca.  Just a slight delay as the previous dismissal seems to have damaged the bail. The box of bails comes out and a replacement one is kept, but it does not light up. Trying another one now. Unsuccessful. Still waiting. That is one of the issues with the Zing bails. They are primarily used because of their lighting effect. So if they don't light up, they cannot be used. Finally, we are ready.

1.5: Matthew Forde to Justin Mosca, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Matthew Forde draws first blood for West Indies. Forde comes around the wicket to the left-hander and serves it a bit fuller than a good length, in the channel outside off. Justin Mosca leans back and looks to cut but the ball seams back in sharply and goes past the willow to smash into the top of the off pole. Italy are 12/1, needing 154 more off 109 balls.

1.4: Matthew Forde to Anthony Mosca, Back of a length, shapes back into the batter. Anthony hops up and taps it into the off side for an easy single.

1.3: Matthew Forde to Anthony Mosca, Short and wide outside off, Anthony misses out, lashing the cut, but not connecting.

1.2: Matthew Forde to Justin Mosca, Direct hit, but Anthony Mosca is in. Full, on middle and off, JM pushes it towards mid off and sets off for a single. His brother waits for a while, as he wants to check whether the ball is past the bowler. He takes off late and there is just that half a chance for a run out. Sherfane Rutherford gets to the ball to his left from mid off, picks the ball up and has a shy at the striker's end, hitting the stumps direct. However, Anthony seems to have put in the long yards to get in comfortably.

1.2: Matthew Forde to Justin Mosca, FIVE WIDES! Oh dear, wrongly lined and that is a decent bonus for Italy. Forde tries for the magic ball, aiming to land the ball around middle and leg and then shape it away from there, looking to square up the batter. But he ends up bowling too straight, down the leg side and the ball keeps going down with the angle. Justin misses his flick and the keeper cannot get to the ball even with a dive to his right. The ball races to the fine leg fence. 156 more needed from 113 balls.

1.1: Matthew Forde to Justin Mosca, From around the wicket, on a good length, outside off, angling in, but then shaping away. Justin Mosca feels for it but misses.

That last ball kind of spoilt what would have been a terrific opening over. Matthew Forde will share the new-ball attack.

0.6: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, FOUR! Fine enough from Anthony Mosca. Full and angled into the pads, Anthony Mosca lunges across to get inside the line and sweeps it between the keeper and short fine leg for a boundary to end the first over. Italy are 5/0.

0.5: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, Oh, an outside edge but no time for the keeper to react to that. Akeal bowls the arm ball and darts it in from outside off, Anthony gets squared up and gets a big deflection behind and the ball raps Shai Hope's pad before going down.

0.4: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, Just inside the new guideline. Floated up, full and just down leg, Anthony Mosca gets inside the line to sweep it hard but misses. No wide called by the umpire.

0.3: Akeal Hosein to Anthony Mosca, Tossed up, around middle and leg, Anthony Mosca stays back and blocks it to the off side.

0.2: Akeal Hosein to Justin Mosca, Yeah... that will be the real test of that shoulder. Short, around off, Justin goes back and pulls it ferociously through mid-wicket. No discomfort shown as of now. There is a fielder in the deep, so it will be just a single.

0.1: Akeal Hosein to Justin Mosca, On a length, around off, hint of away movement, Justin Mosca pushes it towards short third. First look at the shoulder of Justin, after he injured himself in the field.

We are back for the chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of West Indies. The Mosca brothers, Anthony and Justin, are all set to open the innings for Italy. Akeal Hosein will get proceedings underway with the ball. A slip in place to begin with. Let's go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Chance to script history - Italy will be pleased with their bowling effort here, keeping things tight in the Powerplay as Ali Hasan and Thomas Draca struck early to pick up key wickets and put West Indies under pressure from the outset. The spinners then took control in the middle overs, with Crishan Kalugamage the pick of them, claiming a couple of wickets, giving away just 25 runs in his four overs, while Benjamin Manenti offered superb support with two of his own. The bowlers have done their job, now it is up to the batters to step up and produce something special to script a famous upset. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Hope holds firm - West Indies stumbled early with a couple of quick wickets, but skipper Shai Hope held firm, anchoring the innings with a gritty 75 off 46 and sharing a 64-run stand with Roston Chase, who struggled for fluency. In fact, it was not until the 10th over that a batter other than Hope found the boundary. With little support from the middle order, the pressure mounted before a few lusty blows from Sherfane Rutherford and Matthew Forde at the death lifted them past the 160-mark.

Windies grind it out - Not the most fluent outing with the bat from West Indies, but they have still managed to put up a competitive score. Italy kept things tight for most of the innings, though 50 runs in the last five overs hurt them slightly. Hasan Ali finished brilliantly, conceding just 8 in the final over, as Italy restricted West Indies to their lowest first innings total of this World Cup.

19.6: Ali Hasan to Matthew Forde, Just 8 runs off the final over. Hasan keeps it outside off, away from the hitting arc. Forde has a swing at it but mistimes his shot to the left of long off for a brace. WEST INDIES END WITH 165/6. 

19.5: Ali Hasan to Matthew Forde, Dot again! Excellent final over from Hasan so far. Angles across a fuller delivery, way outside off. Forde flashes his blade and misses.

19.4: Ali Hasan to Matthew Forde, A pinpoint yorker, outside off. Forde tries to go downtown but toe ends his shot back to Hasan. 

19.3: Ali Hasan to Sherfane Rutherford, Half-a-chance but Crishan Kalugamage has done well to prevent the boundary. Short in length and on the hips, pace off and Rutherford swipes it aerially and to deep backward square leg. Crishan Kalugamage runs in and slides. Parries the ball with his foot towards the short fine leg fielder and keeps it down to one.

19.2: Ali Hasan to Sherfane Rutherford, Two more! A wide yorker, nailed outside off. Rutherford squeezes it out to deep point. The fielder is slow to release the ball and the batters sneak in the second run.

19.1: Ali Hasan to Sherfane Rutherford, Overpitched, drifting on the pads. Rutherford whips it behind square on the leg side. Crishan Kalugamage sprints to his left and slips a bit on the practice pitches. That allows the batters to come back for the second. Ali Hasan is not happy one bit.

19.1: Ali Hasan to Sherfane Rutherford, WIDE! Too full, angling down the leg side. Rutherford fails to clip it away. 

Time for the final over. Can Italy keep the West Indies under 170? Ali Hasan has been given the task of closing out the innings. For Sherfane Rutherford, the bigger of the two square boundaries is on the leg side.

18.6: Grant Stewart to Matthew Forde, FOUR! Superb from Forde! Anticipates a fuller delivery and shuffles across in his crease. Forde laps it over the keeper and it speeds into the fence. 19 runs off the over. 

18.5: Grant Stewart to Matthew Forde, FOUR! Oh, that's unfortunate! A well-nailed yorker, angling on leg. Forde manages to get his bat down as he clears the front leg. It rolls through his legs and finds the fine leg fence. 150 up for West Indies.

18.4: Grant Stewart to Sherfane Rutherford, Much better from Grant! Pace off, length delivery, outside off. Rutherford is through his shot, he swings hard but manages an inside edge on the leg side. A single.

18.3: Grant Stewart to Sherfane Rutherford, FOUR! That is a gift! Italy are giving too many freebies in the back end. A gentle full toss, well outside off. Rutherford frees his arms and cuts it over point for a boundary. A quick check for height on the full toss but it is found to be below the waist.

18.3: Grant Stewart to Sherfane Rutherford, WIDE! A slower bumper but a bit too wide. Rutherford swings his blade and misses.

18.2: Grant Stewart to Matthew Forde, Excellent stop in the deep! Grant Stewart serves another full toss, around off. Forde punches it down towards long off. Harry Manenti runs across to his right and dives to save three runs. Just a single.

18.1: Grant Stewart to Matthew Forde, FOUR! Short straight boundary and Matthew Forde hits it effortlessly. A low juicy full toss on middle, Forde opens up his body and just chips it straight down the ground for a boundary. 

Grant Stewart to bowl the penultimate over. He has gone for 11 runs in his first couple of overs.

17.6: Crishan Kalugamage to Sherfane Rutherford, Crishan Kalugamage ends the over well. He closes his spell with two crucial wickets. Pushes it full and wide outside off, Rutherford leans to drive it away but misses it. 

17.5: Crishan Kalugamage to Matthew Forde, Tosses it up, around off, Matthew Forde plays it down to long off for a single.

Another one bites the dust. Matthew Forde is the next man in.

17.4: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, OUT! TAKEN! Crishan Kalugamage strikes again. Dragged length and too wide, turning away from the batter. Jason Holder, without any foot movement, tries to hoick it away but he cue ends his shot to long on, where Harry Manenti reverse cups it to his right. 

17.3: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, SIX! MASSIVE! West Indies are shifting gears now! Flights it a bit too much, fuller and on leg. Jason Holder stands tall and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a six. 

17.2: Crishan Kalugamage to Sherfane Rutherford, Tad fuller and around off. Rutherford pats it behind point for a single.

17.1: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, CHANCE! Floats a fuller-length delivery, around off, Jason Holder tries to power it down the ground but plays off the inner half of the bat to Crishan, who stretches his right hand out. It clips his fingertips and rolls to long off for a run.

16.6: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, FOUR! Well over the fielder! Loops up a length delivery, just outside off, Rutherford makes room on the off side and swings hard. He gets a thick outside edge over backward point and it rolls to the fence.

16.5: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, SIX! Rare loose delivery from Manenti! In the slot, fuller and around off, Sherfane Rutherford thumps it down the ground, towards long off for a biggie. A boundary after 13 deliveries. 

16.4: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, Goes fuller and around off, no room to free his arms and Rutherford pushes it to cover.

16.3: Benjamin Manenti to Jason Holder, Fractionally short and angling on leg, Jason Holder whips it to the left of deep square leg for a run.

16.2: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, 'Catch it' is the call, but it lands well short! A shorter delivery, around leg, Rutherford is cramped for room as he tries to hoick it away. He mistimes his shot to long on for a single.

16.1: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, Tossed up, full and on middle, Rutherford knocks it to cover.

15.6: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, Bowls in line of the stumps, fuller delivery. Jason Holder defends well.

15.5: Crishan Kalugamage to Sherfane Rutherford, Tough chance! Crishan Kalugamage keeps it across the batter, goes very full and outside off. Rutherford tries to drive but cue ends his shot behind, where Gian-Piero Meade fails to close his flaps and the ball parries towards short third. They cross. It will be harsh to call it a dropped catch.

15.4: Crishan Kalugamage to Sherfane Rutherford, Serves it short and wide of off, turning away across the batter. Rutherford hangs back to cut but misses.

15.3: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, Fuller-length delivery, outside off, Jason Holder punches it to long off and gets off the mark with a run.

15.2: Crishan Kalugamage to Jason Holder, A googly again, tails it on the leg side. Jason Holder looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads.

West Indies lose half their side now. Jason Holder comes out to the middle now in his 300th International match.

15.1: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Crishan Kalugamage picks up the set batter. Italy are on top now. Flights up a fuller delivery, around off, the wrong 'un but Shai Hope doesn't pick it up, tries to slog it away but misses and it crashes into the stumps. Shai Hope goes for a well-made 75 (46).

Crishan Kalugamage is back on the field and back in the attack as well. He has conceded 14 runs in his first two overs.

14.6: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, A bit too full, slower in the air and on middle, Hope nudges it to deep square leg for a single to end the over. 9 runs and a wicket off the over. 

14.5: Benjamin Manenti to Sherfane Rutherford, Flatter delivery, around off, Rutherford punches it square on the off side for a single. Sherfane is underway. 

Drinks break brings in a big wicket for Italy. Sherfane Rutherford walks out to bat now. Also, Crishan Kalugamage is going off the field with the physio. He has hurt his fingers while taking that catch.

14.4: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, SIX AND OUT! CAUGHT! Benjamin Manenti is absolutely pumped up. An off-break on leg, Powell is tempted to go big again. He picks up off the pads and whacks it across. Powell thought he had cleared the fence, but Crishan Kalugamage sprints to his right at deep square leg and manages to hold onto it. Almost overruns the ball, slips a bit and hurts his fingertips in the process. 

14.3: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, SIX! That has gone a long way! First six for Powell. Benjamin Manenti tosses it up, touch fuller and on middle and leg, Powell clears his front leg and heaves it over square leg for a six. 

14.2: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, Fires it full and on middle and leg, Powell leans to clip it away and keeps it out on the leg side. 

14.1: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, Drops it short and into the surface, on leg, Hope swipes it across and to deep square leg for a run.

DRINKS! The momentum has been sucked out of the Windies innings in the middle overs, but the good thing for them is that Shai Hope is still out there. He has looked in good touch, but the others have struggled around him. Hope will look to bat deep, but they do still have a lot of firepower left that can change things around in the next few overs. Italy have done well with the ball buy they cannot let their good work go to waste with a lack of execution at the death, which has been an area of concern for them in this World Cup.

13.6: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, On a good length and just outside off, Shai Hope taps it wide of point and scampers across for a single. 

13.5: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, SIX! High and handsome! Flights it fuller and give slight width on the off side. Hope gets on his knee and slams it down the ground and it goes all the way. 100 up for West Indies.

13.4: JJ Smuts to Rovman Powell, Very full and in the blockhole, around off, Powell clips it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

13.3: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, JJ Smuts bowls with some extra pace, length delivery, around off, Hope stays back and punches it through covers for a run.

13.2: JJ Smuts to Rovman Powell, An arm ball, very full and on middle, Powell eases it past Smuts' dive and to long on for a single. 

13.1: JJ Smuts to Rovman Powell, Floats it fuller and on middle, Powell leans and defends off the inside edge to mid-wicket.

12.6: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, Across off, on a length, Powell pats it wide of cover for a single to get off the mark.

12.5: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, Keeps it at the stumps, on a nagging length, Rovman taps it back on the strip.

12.4: Benjamin Manenti to Rovman Powell, Flat and short, on middle. Rovman Powell watchfully defends.

Rovman Powell replaces Roston Chase with the bat.

12.3: Benjamin Manenti to Roston Chase, OUT! CAUGHT! 'Catch it' is the cry, and the call has been answered. End of a scratchy stay for Roston Chase. Benjamin Manenti spots Chase backing away and he follows him. This is on the shorter side. Roston has a swing across the line and he takes on the longer of the two square boundaries. Hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Anthony Mosca makes no mistake. The 64-run stand has been broken.

12.2: Benjamin Manenti to Roston Chase, FOUR! A good effort in the field but not enough! Sliding across off, on a length, on off. Chase stands tall and lofts it back over the umpire's head. Harry Manenti sprints to his right from long off and dives to his right. He even gets a hand on it but the ball ends up trickling into the fence.

12.1: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, Gets away with it! A half-tracker from Benjamin Manenti, on middle. Hope pulls it hard but straight to deep square leg. Just a single.

Benjamin Manenti is back on. Also, Justin Mosca is off the field after that effort in the previous over. A precautionary step and let's hope he is okay. 

11.6: Grant Stewart to Shai Hope, Low full toss, on middle, Shai can only pat this away to long on for another run.

11.5: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, Full and on the pads, Chase clips it to deep square leg for a single.

11.4: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, DROPPED! A valiant effort by Justin Mosca nonetheless! Off-cutter, full and on middle, Chase clears the front leg and has a swipe across the line. He does not pick the slower one and goes through the shot early. A leading edge is induced and the ball balloons over backward point. Mosca runs over his left shoulder and stretches his hands out in front but fails to cling on. He lands awkwardly on his left arm near the practice pitches but seems fine as he is staying on. Two runs taken.

11.3: Grant Stewart to Shai Hope, Pace off, on a good length, on off. Hope guides it wide of backward point and takes the single.

11.2: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, Fuller and on middle, Roston pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.

11.1: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, On a back of a length, outside off, Roston steers it with an open bat face to short third.

10.6: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, SIX! A good end to the over for West Indies! Crishan Kalugamage tosses it up but ends up dishing it out in the slot, on off. Shai needs no second invitation as he gets down on a knee, swings through the line and tonks it back over the bowler's head for a six. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

10.5: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, Nearly through the defences! Googly from Crishan Kalugamage, on a nagging length, on middle. Shai stays leg side of the ball and looks to punch it away. He fails to pick the variation and ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

10.4: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, This is full and quick, outside off, Chase drills it to long on and crosses over.

10.3: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, Drags the length back and finds a bit of turn, around off, Roston steers it to short third.

10.2: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, Very full, outside off, Roston drives well but can't get it past cover.

10.1: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, Flat and short, outside off, Shai reaches out and cuts it to backward point. The fielder dives to his right and parries it away. Saves at least a couple of runs for his side. Just a single.

At the halfway mark, West Indies are 76/2. With 8 wickets in hand, expect the Men in Maroon to go full throttle from hereon. 

9.6: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, FOUR! Lovely shot! This is fuller, on off, Chase gives himself a bit of room and extends his hands into the lofted drive. Goes inside out over cover and picks up his first boundary. In fact, first boundary by any batter other than Hope.

9.5: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Dropped short, outside off, Roston backs away and hammers it hard but picks out extra cover.

9.4: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, Shorter and on off, Shai hangs back and works it to the right of extra cover for one more.

9.3: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, Drifting in, full and at the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.

9.2: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Shouts of 'catch it'! Floated up, on off, Roston charges down the track to loft it down the ground. The bat turns in his hands and he mistimes it to the right of long off. Just a single.

9.1: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, Angled into the pads, Shai goes deep in the crease and nurdles it in front of square leg for a run.

8.6: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, Short and outside off, slapped off the back foot to deep cover for one by Shai. Six singles off the over!

8.5: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, Sliding into the right-hander, on a length, on middle. Chase brings his bat out in front and plays it to long on for one more run.

8.4: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, Floater, full and on off, Shai hangs low and reaches out to crack the drive to deep cover for another single.

8.3: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, A bit too short, outside off, Roston hits it firmly to extra cover. A misfield allows the batters to cross over.

8.2: Crishan Kalugamage to Shai Hope, Edgy! A bit of extra bounce, short and on off, Shai looks to force it away off the back foot. Ali Hasan moves to his left at short third and slides to keep it to a single.

8.1: Crishan Kalugamage to Roston Chase, Starts with a googly, bowled from wide of the crease. Short and around off. Roston works it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Just one over for Benjamin Manenti. Time for the leg spinner, Crishan Kalugamage.

7.6: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Drags the length back and bowls it with a flatter trajectory, on middle. Chase hits it down to long on and keeps the strike with a single.

7.5: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, FIFTY FOR HOPE! Back-to-back fifties for the Windies skipper, and that augurs well for the team heading into the Super 8s, especially with Brandon King having struggled for rhythm. Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Shai leans on and drives it to long off for a single to bring up his 11th T20I half-century.

7.4: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Nearly sneaked through! Darted in on a length, on middle. Chase has a big swing through the line, aiming to go down the ground. Gets an inside edge through square leg for a single.

7.3: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Short and on off, Roston hangs back and taps it to cover.

7.2: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, Tossed up, on off, this is eased wide of cover for a single.

7.1: JJ Smuts to Roston Chase, Fractionally short, on the off pole. Roston knocks it to long off and gets to the other end.

JJ Smuts is back into the attack. He went for 5 runs in the first over.

6.6: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, Pushes it through, on the fuller side, Hope goes deep in the crease and tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region. Benjamin Manenti goes after the ball but neither he nor the deep fielder can prevent the batters from taking the second run.

6.5: Benjamin Manenti to Roston Chase, Shorter and slower, on middle, Roston turns it square on the leg side and crosses over.

6.4: Benjamin Manenti to Roston Chase, Around off, on a nagging length, Chase attempts the reverse sweep, but the ball catches him on the glove and drops at his feet.

6.3: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, Quicker and flatter, the length is pulled back, on off, Shai punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

6.2: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, SIX! Flat hit! Floated up by Benjamin Manenti, a bit too full, on off. Hope clears the front leg, opens up the front hip and goes inside out cover for a six.

6.1: Benjamin Manenti to Shai Hope, Short and turning in at the hips. Hope presses back and drops it beside strip on the leg side.

DRINKS BREAK! The bowling has been a mixed bag from the Italians. It was a promising start, but since then, there have been far too many loose balls. The early swing has disappeared, yet there is still enough assistance in the surface, provided the quicks consistently hit that 6-8 metre length. Shai Hope has capitalised on the indifferent bowling and is looking in ominous touch, which will be a concern for the Azzurri. They will look to improve their discipline and wrest back some control in the middle phase. Also, Benjamin Manenti will bowl after the break.

5.6: Grant Stewart to Shai Hope, Gets away with it! Grant Stewart bowls a full toss, on the pads, there to be put away. Shai Hope clips it away but cannot get it past deep square leg. Just one. West Indies are 48/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, Uppish but safe! Fuller in length this time, on off, holds its line. Roston Chase looks to flick it across the line but gets a leading edge. It flies in the air but lands well short of deep third who grabs it on the bounce. They cross.

5.4: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, Back of a length and on off, Roston Chase steers it towards point. He wants the run but is sent back by his partner.

5.3: Grant Stewart to Shai Hope, A slower delivery, full and on middle, Shai Hope taps it towards cover for another run.

5.2: Grant Stewart to Roston Chase, Good length and on off, Roston Chase tries to play away from his body and gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards point. They cross.

5.1: Grant Stewart to Shai Hope, On a length and around leg, Shai Hope flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

4.6: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, Fullish and on middle, shaping into the legs again. Shai Hope clips it away nicely through mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg runs a long way to his left and dives to push the ball back inside towards the incoming fielder from mid-wicket. Three taken.

4.5: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, Much better! Hard length and on off, jags back in sharply. Shai Hope has no room to work with and only manages to pat it down on the pitch.

4.4: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, FOUR! Two in two! Thomas Draca tries to correct his line but overcompensates and bowls this fuller, angling into the pads. Shai Hope brings his wrists into play and flicks it with good timing through mid-wicket for another boundary.

4.3: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, FOUR! There is no stopping that! Short of a length but way outside off. Shai Hope gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point. There is a fielder in the deep, but the ball races across the turf for four runs.

4.2: Thomas Draca to Roston Chase, Back of a length and around off, Roston Chase steers it away towards point for a single.

Italy have their second wicket. In walks Roston Chase.

4.1: Thomas Draca to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Thomas Draca gets the big fish here. He bowls the off-cutter, serves this full and around off. This one grips onto the surface and angles away too. Shimron Hetmyer looks to go over covers but gets a thick outside edge that flies wide of fly slip, where JJ Smuts flings himself to his right to grab a fantastic catch. West Indies are 31/2 now.

Thomas Draca to continue. He will be keen to make amends after an expensive first over.

3.6: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, SIX! BANG! Shai Hope goes big now! Ali Hasan straightens the line but a bit too much. He bangs this into the pitch, down the leg side. Hope gets inside the line of it and pulls it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. 14 runs off the over!

3.5: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, FOUR! Cracking stroke! This is full again and outside off, asking to be hit. Shai Hope does not miss out. He swings through the line and lofts it over extra covers for another boundary.

3.4: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Short of a length and around off, angling further away, Shai Hope slashes at it but misses.

3.3: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Nicely bowled! Ali Hasan lands this on a good length and on middle, jags back in sharply. Shai Hope gets cramped up for room and just keeps it out on the pitch, losing his bottom hand as well.

3.2: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Pitched up and on off, Shai Hope drives it firmly but straight to short cover.

3.1: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, FOUR! Beautifully played! Fuller and wide outside off. Shai Hope extends his arms to get under it and creams it through covers for his third boundary.

2.6: Thomas Draca to Shimron Hetmyer, Falls short! Pitched up and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer does not get elevation on his lofted shot and the ball drops in front of mid on, going on the bounce to the fielder.

2.6: Thomas Draca to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer but just down the leg side, Shimron Hetmyer swivels and looks to hook but fails to connect. Called a wide.

2.5: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, A bit of a mix-up, but no harm done! Hard length and around off, Shai Hope tries to guide it away but gets a bottom edge behind towards the keeper. Shimron Hetmyer calls him for the run, but he responds a bit late. Gian-Piero Meade, the keeper, collects the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Hope was in anyway.

2.4: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, FOUR! Up and over! Fuller in length and just outside off. Shai Hope accepts the width on offer. He gets his hands through the shot and smacks it over extra cover for another boundary.

2.3: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, Short of a length and outside off, Shai Hope looks to cut it away but ends up chopping it on the off side.

2.2: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, Good comeback from the bowler! This is on a good length and in that channel outside off, gets it to shape away from the seam. Shai Hope has a poke at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

2.1: Thomas Draca to Shai Hope, FOUR! Lovely shot! Thomas Draca serves a juicy half-volley around off. Shai Hope leans on to his drive nicely and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary. Crishan Kalugamage at short cover dives to his left but has no chance and awkwardly lands on his left shoulder. Hopefully, he is fine.

Excellent first over from Ali Hasan. Just the one over for JJ Smuts in his opening spell. He is replaced by the right-arm speedster, Thomas Draca.

1.6: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Back of a length and on off, shaping in, Shai Hope dabs it through point for a run. 2 runs and a wicket from Ali's first over!

1.5: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Overpitched delivery, on off, Shai Hope drills it straight towards mid off.

1.4: Ali Hasan to Shai Hope, Pulls his length back a bit, on off, nips back in again. Shai Hope gets behind the line of it and fends it down the pitch.

1.3: Ali Hasan to Shimron Hetmyer, Pitched up and on off, Shimron Hetmyer drills it wide of mid off, where the fielder makes a sliding stop to his right. A single to get off the mark for Hettie.

1.2: Ali Hasan to Shimron Hetmyer, Fuller delivery, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer blocks it out.

Brandon King's lean run in the World Cup continues. Shimron Hetmyer is in early.

1.1: Ali Hasan to Brandon King, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Oh...that's an absolute beauty. Ali Hasan comes from over the wicket, lands this on a good length on the fourth stump line, gets it to jag back in sharply. Brandon King looks to play at it from the crease but gets cut in half as the ball goes past the inside edge behind, where the keeper, Gian-Piero Meade, takes a good catch to his left. There is a shout for caught behind, but turned down. However, the keeper and bowler convince the Italy skipper to take the review. UltraEdge comes up on the big screen and shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat, much to the delight of Italians. The on-field call is changed to Out, and the Windies are rocked early.

Pace from the other end? Indeed. Left-arm quick, Ali Hasan is ready at the top of his mark.

0.6: JJ Smuts to Brandon King, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, angling in again. Brandon King backs away and punches it towards short extra cover for one. Just 5 runs off the first over!

0.5: JJ Smuts to Brandon King, Arm ball, full and on off, angling in, Brandon King pushes it back to the bowler.

0.4: JJ Smuts to Brandon King, Continues with the shorter length, on the leg stump line, Brandon King flicks it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

0.3: JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, Goes short again, on off, Shai Hope stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

0.2: JJ Smuts to Brandon King, Brandon King and West Indies are underway! Shorter in length and outside off, King backs away and slaps it wide of extra cover. Anthony Mosca dives to his left to make a good stop. A single taken.

0.1: JJ Smuts to Brandon King, JJ Smuts starts with a floater, full and on off, Brandon King prods forward and blocks it out.

We are all set for the action to begin. West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has the honour of ringing the bell before the start of play. 'Remember the name' - Ian Bishop's iconic words still ring in our ears after Brathwaite’s unforgettable heroics on the big stage here. Harry Manenti and his men make their way out to the centre. It will be Shai Hope and Brandon King to open the innings for West Indies. Italy are starting with spin in the form of JJ Smuts. King to face the first ball. Away we go...

Before we get underway, the two teams will line up for the national anthems. The match officials lead the way, followed by the two sets of players. It will be Italy's national anthem, followed by the anthem of the West Indies.

PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull reports lovely conditions at the venue, with ideal weather for a good contest. He informs that the pitch is situated closer to the western side of the ground. In terms of dimensions, one side measures 71 metres, the other 59 metres, with 73 metres straight down the ground. Samuel Badree describes the venue as an unforgiving one for bowlers. Further says that it has been the best ground for six-hitting in this World Cup, with the fewest balls required per six. He observes a nice covering of grass on the surface. Badree notes that yorkers are always a strong option, but suggests the 6-8 metre length could be just as effective, where the strike rate drops to just under a run a ball. He also advises bowlers to make good use of cutters and to be mindful of the shorter square boundary. Doull adds that if he was the captain, he would have chosen to bat first on this surface.

A pillar of West Indies cricket - A massive moment as Jason Holder joins the elite club of 300 international caps. Shimron Hetmyer presents Jason Holder with a commemorative cap and a 300 printed jersey to mark the veteran's milestone 300th international appearance.

Momentum key for the team - The skipper of West Indies, Shai Hope says that the toss is not in their control, but they will need to set the tone with the bat. Adds that even with the qualification, the process does not change. Hope mentions that they want to continue playing a good brand of cricket and go into the next round with momentum on their side. Informs that they are unchanged.

Great opportunity to express themselves - The captain of Italy, Harry Manenti believes that there will be a bit in the wicket and they want to have a crack with the ball early on. He mentions that the side will take confidence from their previous outing, but acknowledges that the West Indies are another powerful unit. Shares that their focus is on picking wickets in the first half of the game. Informs that they have made two changes, with Thomas Draca coming in for Jaspreet Singh. He further shares that Syed Naqvi also gets a game with Marcus Campopiano making way.

West Indies (Unchanged Playing XI) - Brandon King, Shai Hope (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein and Shamar Joseph.

Italy (Playing XI) - Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (C), Syed Naqvi (In for Marcus Campopiano), Benjamin Manenti, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (WK), Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan and Thomas Draca (In for Jaspreet Singh).

TOSS - Shai Hope and Harry Manenti are in the middle for the coin toss. Up goes the coin, and it lands in Manenti's favour. Italy elect to BOWL first!