Dubai, UAE (Jan 10, 2024) – West Indies batting powerhouse Sherfane Rutherford scripted his way into cricketing folklore in season one of the ILT20, after he bravely walked back on to the field, despite suffering a torn hamstring against the Gulf Giants in a crucial qualifier.
Rutherford scored 37 off 19 balls, fighting against excruciating pain, and helped his side storm into the final. The West Indies star returns to the Desert Vipers squad for season two, and Head Coach James Foster could not be happier.
Foster said he was full of admiration for the courage and determination that Rutherford showed in that qualifier and throughout the campaign.
“What a tournament he (Sherfane Rutherford) had last year; he was a standout player for us with the impact he had in the campaign. We all remember that qualifier and the way he tore his hamstring and that was the end of the tournament for him, and he came off (the field). But then he was adamant about going back out to play.
“Initially my reaction was to say ‘You cannot go back’, but he insisted. After a chat with (Desert Vipers Director of Cricket) Tom Moody, our incredible physio strapped him up and he went back. The way he performed after that, and banged out all those sixes, was simply incredible.
“But it was not just about that performance, it was about the whole tournament. He is a great guy, and great around the group and a very talented and gifted player, and I am delighted to see the recognition he has been given with the West Indies.”
Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast, Rutherford spoke about that knock in the qualifier which he considers one of the best of his career.
“Going on to bat I was asking myself – what I was going to do? I was in in pain, and I could barely move. I did not have a plan, I just thought I would go out and do my best. I wanted to finish the tournament well. I guess it was a miracle because it went well, and something I will always remember. I enjoyed that innings, and it will be one of my best.”
While that was an unforgettable performance, Rutherford was impressive across the first season of the ILT20 where he scored an impressive 247 runs at a strike rate of 184.32, the second-best strike rate of any player in the tournament that played eight innings or more, behind only Keiron Pollard of MI Emirates (192.19).
Rutherford said it was all about putting in the work: “It (the ILT20 campaign) was a good one, I actually played out of my skin, surprising myself once more.
“I actually trust my game and my process where I work hard. With hard work there is no limit, and there is a lot you can achieve by just working hard and that is the standout for me in performing and playing well.
“Doing well for me is about preparing well, and I think I have been doing that for the past few years. I am looking forward to the next season, and hopefully my hard work will continue to show on the field.”
The left-handed batter showed the real resolve while making a comeback from the hamstring injury after spending an extended period on the sidelines.
“Six months I was out and basically it was about recovery,” he said. “For the first few weeks I could not walk or do much for myself. It was painful, but in the end, it was a part of our journey and something to look back on and pat yourself on the back for coming back from it.”
Rutherford’s patience was rewarded, and he was recruited into the West indies short form squads, playing for his country in the ODI and T20I series against England at the end of 2023.
“It is good to play international cricket, it is something I have always wanted to do,” he told the Vipers Voices podcast. “It is good to get back that feel of it. I am looking forward to playing more and extend my career and have a long run in international cricket as well.”
For Rutherford now, the goal is to remain in international contention and work even harder towards the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the summer in the West Indies and USA.
“I sleep with that on my mind, it keeps repeating itself in my head every day,” he said. “That is one of my biggest motivations. It is a work in progress, but the good thing about the T20 World Cup is that it is being played in a few months and I have a lot of cricket ahead (with the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League following the ILT20). Playing cricket, I feel is going to give me the best chance of making the squad and also performing.”
And in the short-term, Rutherford said he was confident the Desert Vipers could lift the trophy this season.
“The key to winning the tournament and being a good team is to try and retain the core of the players and I think we have done that,” he said. “We have picked some exceptionally good players, and I am very excited about catching up with the guys. This is a good team, and I am confident that these are the guys who can put their hands up in every game and at the end of the tournament we can go one step further.”
The ILT20 gets underway on Friday 19 January and the Desert Vipers’ first match is against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 21 January.
