P.N.G. vs New Zealand, 39th Match, Group C at Tarouba, T20 World Cup, Jun 17 2024 - Match Result

2.40pm So, that's a wrap from Trinidad. New Zealand are eliminated at the group stage for the first time in their T20 World Cup history. Afghanistan and West Indies face off later tonight. From Miller, Vish and Thilak, good night!

Kane Williamson: "Turning up and trying to execute on this surface was about hitting an area, chasing was a bit of a grind but got across the line. At any tournament you want to start strong, adapting faster would have been important. A number of guys in our side will be around for a long time and they will be better for this experience, and these surfaces. I think after every tournament there's a bit of reflection, this being Trent's last ICC tournament, great servant of our game and the world game. Sad to see him go but that's the nature of playing for a long time. As a guy, he's got such a big appetite to keep getting better, trains hard, v fit, and v clear with how he wants to operate. Held him in great stead across formats. Sticks his chest out and performs well. A fantastic contribution, and has created the space for new players to come in."

Assad Vala: "A lot of learnings to take away from this tournament. Adapting quickly to the wickets, and the pace of the bowlers, we found challenging, we found a way, trying to give our best every time. We believed we could improve some areas, a bit in the wicket and they exploited it well. Some were rolling along the ground, we tried to adapt as best we could. With the World Cup, what we have done over the past month, a lot of people watching cricket back home. Not sure what's next, the World Challenge League in Kenya will hopefully improve us in the future."

The Player of the Match is Lockie Ferguson for figures of 4-4-0-3... wow. "A tough wicket to bat on, nice to bowl on that, sad to be leaving, such high hopes coming in. Not many games you bowl seam-up all the way through. Wicket offered assistance, swing as well. Hard to know on these wickets what's a par total, we bowled well v Afg and WI, but going down there ruined our World Cup. The crowds have been amazing, a party all the time."

2.22pm Handshakes all round as two campaigns come to an end. New Zealand go home with regret, PNG with some pride after a battling display in the field. They made their South Pacific neighbours battle harder than might have been anticipated, especially after Lockie Ferguson made history with four consecutive maidens. In the end, Conway's 35 from 32 got their chase going, before Williamson and Mitchell sealed it. Morea was excellent for his 2 for 4 in 2.2 overs.

We will not be detained much longer

Pete: "This might be the last T20 for Williamson and Mitchell. They need to focus on tests - conquer Ashwin and Jadeja in India this year, England back home, and look towards a final swansong when NZ tours Australia for 4 tests in 2026/7." Who knows, certainly feels like the end of an era unfolding here

Frank: "Interesting idea. Looking at the Table, Pakistan would qualify instead of the USA. More shockingly, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would qualify and South Africa would miss out."

Time for drinks, didn't expect this one to still be alive at this stage, so credit to PNG for a very gutsy bowling performance

robert: "What with the weather and lack of games in each group, I wonder if they should have done away with points and used net run rate as the qualifier?" Radical... I wonder if it would have matched up?

Well well, Conway was getting busy but NZ's source of momentum is gone. Mind you, Mitchell doesn't tend to hang about...