Top 5 highest individual scores at #6 or below in men's T20 World Cup history ft. Sherfane Rutherford
Sherfane Rutherford's knock in the T20 World Cup encounter between the West Indies and New Zealand single-handedly turned the game on its head. The allrounder's heroics pushed the Kiwis to the brink of elimination from the group stage of the tournament.
Over the years, the T20 World Cup has recognized the highest run-scorers, highest wicket-takers, and Players of the Tournament. But it has also thrown several examples of why it was important to celebrate the finishers even more.
There have been some incredible rearguard efforts that have single-handedly destroyed the plans of the opposition, leaving them scratching their heads as to what had hit them. On that note, let's take a look at five of the highest scores by a batter who had batted at No. 6 or lower in men's T20 World Cups:
#5 David Miller - 59*(51) vs Netherlands, 2024, New York
The Nassau County Cricket Club pitch in New York proved to be a menace for the batters as bowlers found plenty of help. South Africa had already suffered a scar at the hands of the Netherlands when they were knocked out of the T20 World Cup a couple of years ago by the same opposition.
The Dutch threatened to pull off a repeat when they had South Africa reeling at 12/4 while chasing a target of 104. The Proteas needed David Miller's experience and the southpaw dug deep alongside Tristan Stubbs to rescue their innings.
The duo added 65 runs for the fifth wicket before Stubbs departed. The Netherlands had a sniff at another upset when they dismissed Marco Jansen with South Africa still needing 16 runs. However, Miller ensured that his knock of 59* got the Proteas over the line.
#4 Michael Hussey - 60*(24) vs Pakistan, 2010, Gros Islet
Michael Hussey's incredible innings still haunts some Pakistan fans. He played a blinder to help Australia win the 2010 T20 World Cup semifinal that they should have never won. Pakistan were the defending champions and favorites to reach the final after posting a stiff target of 192.
The Aussies were in deep trouble at 105/5 when Michael Hussey walked out to bat with 87 runs needed off 45 balls. Cameron White did try his best to get a few lusty blows, but in the end, it was just Michael Hussey standing between Pakistan and a victory.
The southpaw began to hit boundaries and sixes almost at will and the Pakistan fans and team management were left stunned and in disbelief. He smashed three sixes in the final over against the world-class Saeed Ajmal and got Australia home with a ball to spare. Hussey's innings of 60* saw him hit three boundaries and a staggering six sixes.
#3 Misbah-ul-Haq - 66*(42) vs Australia, 2007, Johannesburg
Misbah-ul-Haq, in the 2007 T20 World Cup, played some magnificent cameos for Pakistan down the order and showed that he would go on to become a world-class batter. One of his finest knocks came against Australia when Pakistan were in deep trouble.
Chasing 165 to win, Pakistan were reeling at 46/4 when Misbah joined Shoaib Malik in the middle. While Malik continued to anchor the innings, Misbah kept taking the pressure off by finding boundaries at regular intervals. The duo added an unbeaten 119 runs for the fifth wicket as Pakistan won the game with five balls to spare.
#2 Sherfane Rutherford - 69*(38) vs New Zealand, 2024, Trinidad
After a massive loss against Afghanistan by 75 runs, New Zealand had to beat the West Indies to remain in the hunt for a T20 World Cup Super-Eight spot. They began the game incredibly well in Trinidad by having the hosts reeling at 30/5 at one stage.
Sherfane Rutherford got some decent little partnerships with Andre Russell and Romario Shepherd, but there came a time when he knew he had to do the heavy lifting. At 112/9, Kane Williamson gave the ball to Daryl Mitchell and that's when Rutherford seized his moment. He smashed the medium pacer for three sixes and got the momentum he needed.
Rutherford also tore into Mitchell Santner in the next over and from nowhere, West Indies had suddenly posted a competitive target of 150 for New Zealand. The Kiwis couldn't get going in their chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals and ended up losing the game by 13 runs.
#1 Cameron White 85*(49) vs Sri Lanka, 2010, Bridgetown
Arguably the finest example of a lower middle-order batter changing the complexion of a T20 World Cup game was provided by Australia's Cameron White in the showpiece event in the Caribbean 14 years ago. Australia were in a spot of bother at 67/5 and needed their lower middle order to fire and get them to a competitive total.
White walked out to bat and his counter-attack proved to be too hot to handle for the Sri Lankans. He smashed 85 off 49 balls in an innings that included six fours and six sixes as the Aussies posted 168/5 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka just couldn't deal with the momentum that Australia had got through White as they were bundled out for 87.