Montreal Tigers won the 2023 Global T20 Canada by five wickets against Surrey Jaguars in a last-ball thriller on Sunday (August 6) at the TD Cricket Arena in Brampton, Ontario. It was Sherfane Rutherford (38 off 29 balls) and Andre Russell's (20 off 16 balls) unbeaten 29-run stand that helped Tigers to pull off an incredible win in a low-scoring encounter.
Chasing 131, Rutherford steadied the ship for his side after the top order failed to put up a fight. The 24-year-old's remarkable performance in the final also won him the coveted titles of Player of the Match and Moment of the Match. Rutherford's display in the summit clash was just a finishing touch to his outstanding campaign throughout the tournament.
Earlier, in Match No. 9, the southpaw had scored a match-winning 84 runs off 53 balls to help the Tigers record an emphatic 6-wicket victory over the Vancouver Knights. Rutherford, who has represented Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, was recognised for his efforts as he was named Player of the Series.
Meanwhile, what caught the attention of cricket fans was Rutherford's unique reward for the Dean Jones Man of the Series. Unlike the usual cash awards, the Guyanese cricketer was gifted half an acre of land in the USA. With his stunning performance, the youngster has grabbed the attention of the cricket fraternity and is a great sign for the West Indies cricket team ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
They’re big-game players: Tigers captain Chris Lynn on Russell an Rutherford
Tigers suffered an early setback as they lost opener Muhammad Waseem for a 3-ball duck in the very first over. Chris Lynn and Srimantha Wijeratne then made a brief partnership before the latter got dismissed in the seventh over. They lost a couple of more wickets in the process, but Rutherford took charge of the scoring before Russell finished the match in style with two sixes and a four.
“I hope everyone in Canada was watching that because that’s what we’re about, that’s why we’re here, to entertain and put on a show. That’s why they’re here; they’re big-game players (on Rutherford and Russell),” said Chris Lynn.
Here's how fans reacted to Sherfane Rutherford receiving a 1/2 acre of land in the USA as the Player of the Match award:
It's much better than any other prize!🤣
— Vishal Thakur (@thakurvishal031) August 7, 2023
Wow now that's some reward
— Raast Tassr (@RTassr) August 7, 2023
That's the best prize only location is imp
— Swastik Dash (@Swastik_45) August 7, 2023
aise dusre ke desh me zmeen de skte kya 😂afghanistan walo ko MAN OF THE MATCH bana kr pakistan me zmeen de denge 📷 fhir wo apne aap nipat lenge
— Manish🇮🇳 (@manibhaii16) August 7, 2023
people don't get US Visa, this lad got land!
— Saikat Ghosh (@Ghosh_Analysis) August 7, 2023
Wow, if that's not a reason to become cricketer, then what is?
Western USA ke jungle mei diya hoga 🤣😭
— ശ്രവണ് 🐐 (@Stfu_bvc) August 7, 2023
Abe ye kaisa award hai 😭😂😂
— Mohit Thakur 🚩🚩🚩 (@Mohitthakurg) August 7, 2023
Madness😭😭😭
— Arunabh Arya (@arunabh_arya) August 7, 2023
Now they are giving out the real prizes