New Zealand's unbeaten run at this 2019 ICC World Cup went within one shot and two meters of being ended in the most improbable way as Carlos Brathwaite blazed away for West Indies.
Brathwaite stroked 101 from 82 balls and combined with the last three batsmen to add 122 runs, getting the West Indies within six runs of a spectacular comeback victory with seven balls remaining on Saturday.
He went for broke, trying to hit the last ball of the 49th over from Jimmy Neesham for six, and was caught on the long-on boundary by Trent Boult.
"Obviously heartbreaking to get so close but not get over the line," said Brathwaite, who hit 25 runs off the 48th over to get West Indies into a winning position, "but also giving thanks for the performance — even getting the team into the position we got into."
The reward for New Zealand for cool heads for the third time in the tournament was top spot in the standings, one point above defending champion Australia.
Boult had a big hand in the win, taking two key catches — he also caught Chris Gayle in the deep for 87 — and took four wickets as New Zealand bowled out West Indies for 286.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson's 148 and 160-run partnership with Ross Taylor was also pivotal, helping New Zealand rally to 291-8 after losing both openers for first-ball ducks in the first over.
"I thought we were in a, obviously, very good position. But for Carlos to come out and do that as cleanly as he did, pure hitting ... I'm going to say that was pretty cool to watch," Boult said. "Great game, great for the tournament.
"To come to that close and be on the right side of it is, of course, a very good feeling."
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)