Carlos Brathwaite's thunderous innings against New Zealand at Manchester last week should hopefully change the notion that only victory matters. What also matters is self belief, courage and of course brute force that Brathwaite displayed in exemplary fashion. His hundred very nearly beat an unbeaten New Zealand side in the World Cup.

When the match continued to be in New Zealand's favour, Michael Holding informed his viewers that there are quite a few former West Indies players at the pavilion end of Old Trafford. Two among those were Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts, who starred for West Indies in their 1975 World Cup match against Pakistan at Edgbaston. The West Indies were in a hopeless position then, but the duo put on 64 for the last wicket to reach the 267-run target. The current West Indies team needed an effort like that. West Indies were in the throes of adversity when Brathwaite adopted an ultra-aggressive route. Number nine batsman Kemar Roach walked back to the pavilion with the score reading 211 for eight at the start of the 39th over, still 81 to get with two wickets in hand. Their alliance was worth 47 runs.