West Indies vs Italy , Full Score Card

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! WEST INDIES WIN BY 42 RUNS! 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.

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 pride, Italy would love to finish off the game by playing out their 20 overs.

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.

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.

Full and around off, Crishan leans and pushes it through mid on for a single.

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...

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. 3-0-24-2 so far.

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.

Forde looks to go full and wide again, but 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.

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.

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.

Another similar ball. Meade is standing outside his leg stump and hence, cannot reach the ball. It lands well inside the wide guideline.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Down the leg side, swept behind square leg for a run.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Turns off a length, around middle, hit away with an open bat face through square covers for a single.

Short again, outside off, slapped wide of long off, to his left, for one.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outside off, eased through cover-point for a single.

Slower ball, wide outside off, on a length, Manenti tries to slash but misses.

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.

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.

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.

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

Short and outside off, Benjamin goes back and drags it through mid on for one.

WIDE. Fired again, but down the leg side. Manenti looks to sweep but misses.

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

Short, around off, Benjamin Manenti goes back and drags the ball towards long on for a single.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Full and down the leg side, Smuts defends it solidly.

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.

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.

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.

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

Shorter in length now, outside off, JJS goes for the pull but is beaten by pace again.

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.

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.

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.

Full and on the pads, clipped away towards backward square leg for a single.

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

Shorter and quicker, outside off, 79.2 kph, Smuts goes back and punches it through point for one.

Tossed up, around off, Harry Manenti drives it through mid off for a run.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outside off, back of a length, pushed straight to point.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

On a length, outside off, Naqvi blasts it out, but cannot beat cover.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On middle and leg, pretty full, Mosca drives it straight to mid off.

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.

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.

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.

Back of a length, shapes back into the batter. Anthony hops up and taps it into the off side for an easy single.

Short and wide outside off, Anthony misses out, lashing the cut, but not connecting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WIDE! A slower bumper but a bit too wide. Rutherford swings his blade and misses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tad fuller and around off. Rutherford pats it behind point for a single.

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.

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.

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.

Goes fuller and around off, no room to free his arms and Rutherford pushes it to cover.

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

'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.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Rutherford knocks it to cover.

Bowls in line of the stumps, fuller delivery. Jason Holder defends well.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fires it full and on middle and leg, Powell leans to clip it away and keeps it out on the leg side.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Floats it fuller and on middle, Powell leans and defends off the inside edge to mid-wicket.

Across off, on a length, Powell pats it wide of cover for a single to get off the mark.

Keeps it at the stumps, on a nagging length, Rovman taps it back on the strip.

Flat and short, on middle. Rovman Powell watchfully defends.

Rovman Powell replaces Roston Chase with the bat.

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.

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.

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.

Low full toss, on middle, Shai can only pat this away to long on for another run.

Full and on the pads, Chase clips it to deep square leg for a single.

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.

Pace off, on a good length, on off. Hope guides it wide of backward point and takes the single.

Fuller and on middle, Roston pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.

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

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.

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.

This is full and quick, outside off, Chase drills it to long on and crosses over.

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

Very full, outside off, Roston drives well but can't get it past cover.

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.

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.

Dropped short, outside off, Roston backs away and hammers it hard but picks out extra cover.

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

Drifting in, full and at the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.

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.

Angled into the pads, Shai goes deep in the crease and nurdles it in front of square leg for a run.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Short and on off, Roston hangs back and taps it to cover.

Tossed up, on off, this is eased wide of cover for a single.

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.

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.

Shorter and slower, on middle, Roston turns it square on the leg side and crosses over.

Around off, on a nagging length, Chase attempts the reverse sweep, but the ball catches him on the glove and drops at his feet.

Quicker and flatter, the length is pulled back, on off, Shai punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

A slower delivery, full and on middle, Shai Hope taps it towards cover for another run.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Short of a length and around off, angling further away, Shai Hope slashes at it but misses.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

Overpitched delivery, on off, Shai Hope drills it straight towards mid off.

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.

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.

Fuller delivery, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer blocks it out.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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!

A motivated Windies team - Standing in their way is a West Indies side that looks every bit like a championship contender. Unbeaten in the tournament and already through to the Super 8s, the Men in Maroon are a juggernaut of power and precision.  With Jason Holder spearheading a disciplined bowling attack and Shai Hope anchoring a deep batting lineup, they have brushed aside opponents with clinical ease.  As they return to the iconic venue of their 2016 triumph, the Windies will be looking to maintain their perfect record and send a stern message to their future Super Eight rivals. Toss and team sheets next.

The Azzurri's final showdown - Despite the absence of their regular captain Wayne Madsen, Italy have played with a fearless brand of cricket that nearly toppled the giants of the game. Having already tasted victory against Nepal and pushed England to the absolute limit in a high-scoring thriller, the Azzurri have proven they belong on the world stage.  With players like Benjamin Manenti and Grant Stewart finding form, Italy will be dreaming of a giant-killing act to sign off on their historic journey.

Final match in Group C! Welcome to the Mecca of Indian Cricket, Eden Gardens, as we are all set to witness a fascinating clash of narratives as the spirited debutants, Italy, take on the powerhouse West Indies in their final Group C encounter.  For the Azzurri, this match represents the pinnacle of a heartwarming maiden World Cup campaign. The Windies return to the very ground where they famously secured their second World T20 title.

...MATCH DAY...

Group C's final act - In the final Group C fixture, tournament debutants Italy take on two-time champions West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While there is not much to gain for the Windies from this fixture, for the Azzurri, this is another chance to show their wares on the global stage and sign off with a statement performance. Unbeaten and building momentum - With three wins from three, West Indies were the first team to secure a Super 8 berth. Shai Hope’s men will now look to maintain their perfect record and carry strong momentum into the next round, where fixtures against Zimbabwe, South Africa and India await them. Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer have done the bulk of the scoring so far. A major positive from the win over Nepal was skipper Shai Hope spending valuable time in the middle and registering a half-century, which should do his confidence a world of good. One slight concern has been the lack of runs from Brandon King at the top, and the Windies will hope he rediscovers his touch before the Super 8s begin. With the ball, Jason Holder has quite literally stood tall, leading the attack impressively, with Romario Shepherd providing solid support. Shepherd missed the Nepal game due to a niggle, and given this is a dead rubber, the management may err on the side of caution and keep him fresh for the Super 8 stage. In the spin department, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie have complemented each other well, while Roston Chase has quietly contributed with the ball, adding balance to a well-rounded bowling unit. From nerves to belief - Italy's World Cup debut against Scotland could perhaps be put down to nerves, as they were unable to fully showcase their potential on the big stage. However, the two matches since have painted a far more encouraging picture. They registered a thumping win over Nepal and then gave England a genuine scare in a spirited chase, eventually falling short. It was their death bowling and ground fielding that let them down in that contest, and had they been sharper in those areas, the result might have been different. Benjamin Manenti's Big Bash League experience has clearly come to the fore, with the all-rounder making his presence felt with both bat and ball. The loss of skipper Wayne Madsen has hampered their campaign, particularly in the batting department, but the side has been led admirably by Harry Manenti, even if he will be personally disappointed not to have contributed more with the bat. The Mosca brothers, Justin and Anthony, were among the stars of that memorable first World Cup win, though they have struggled to replicate that impact in the games around it at the top of the order. With the ball, it has largely been a collective effort. Leg spinner Crishan Kalugamage, along with Manenti and JJ Smuts, have excelled in the spin department, while Ali Hasan and Grant Stewart have delivered useful spells in patches. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - West Indies - WWWWL | Italy - LWLLWL. Conditions check - Italy have already played two games in Kolkata, while this will be just the second outing here for West Indies. With an 11 pm start, the conditions are unlikely to change over the course of the match, unlike the 3 pm fixtures, where batting has tended to get easier once the floodlights take effect. Both teams bring their own attacking brand of cricket, and these conditions should suit them nicely. All the ingredients are in place for an entertaining contest.