Amlan Chakraborty
KOLKATA: West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite smashed England’s Ben Stokes for four successive sixes to snatch a sensational four-wicket win in Sunday’s World T20 final as the Caribbean side became the first team to win the title twice.
To cap a magnificent day, the West Indies women’s team captured their first World T20 title by beating Australia in the final
Needing 19 off the last over sent down by Stokes, Brathwaite exhibited nerves of steel to complete the chase in stunning style and trigger wild celebrations amongst his jubilant team mates who invaded the Eden Gardens pitch.
“We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, we keep on praying,” West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said after becoming the first captain to lead a team to a second World T20 title.
“Good to see Carlos play like that in his debut World Cup. Shows the Twenty20 depth we have in the Caribbean. Hopefully we will continue to improve.”
The 24 runs Brathwaite scored off Stokes was the highest in the final over of a T20 International, bettering Australia’s mark of 23 against Pakistan in Gros Islet in 2010.
England’s death overs hero Stokes was left distraught after failing to contain Brathwaite, who had a memorable night having scored 34 with the bat after earlier claiming 3-23 with the ball to restrict England to a modest total.
Man-of-the-match Marlon Samuels was not out on 85 but it was Brathwaite’s blistering total off 10 balls that saw them home.
Put in to bat, England got off to a horrendous start before Joe Root hit a fluent 54 to help the 2010 champions post a competitive 155 for nine wickets.
“We didn’t have enough runs on the board. It was a really good batting surface, maybe 180-90 was par,” England’s disappointed skipper Eoin Morgan said, though he was happy with his team’s aggressive displays throughout the tournament. “We showed an immense amount of character in the tournament, not quite done enough to win it. I truly believe this is only the start of something special.”
Root added 61 to the England total in partnership with Jos Buttler (36), who hit left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn for back-to-back sixes before holing out in the deep.
Dwayne Bravo (3/-37) struck twice in the 14th over and Root perished in the next trying to scoop a delivery from Brathwaite (3/23).
West Indies wobbled early in their chase after part-time spinner Root dismissed Johnson Charles and the dangerous Chris Gayle in his the first three balls to peg them back.
Samuels added 75 runs with Dwayne Bravo (25) to steady the ship before Brathwaite provided the remarkable late fireworks to secure an emotional victory.
The home crowd, whose team were knocked out by West Indies in the semi-final, gave a loud cheer when India’s Virat Kohli was named man-of-the-tournament for his prolific batting.
w Fifties from Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor powered West Indies to their first women’s World T20 title, their eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens ending three-times defending champions Australia’s dominance in the tournament.
Matthews (66) and captain Taylor (59) added 120 for their opening stand as West Indies chased down a 148-run target with three balls to spare for their first win against the Southern Stars in nine attempts in World T20.
Deandra Dottin, who took 2/33, remained unbeaten on 18 to see West Indies through and spark wild celebrations among her team mates who were joined by several members of the men’s side in a celebratory dance.
“We didn’t get the start we wanted. In the first three overs we only scored three runs but it was good to keep wickets in hand,” Taylor, who was named player of the tournament, told reporters.
“We just said: ‘We could do this, just stay here and bat through’.
“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in as yet. We have a good feeling right now but I think when it really hits us that’s when we will know.”
Australia’s Elyse Villani and captain Meg Lanning had both hit 52 and added 77 for the second wicket to take their side to 148/5 after they won the toss and opted to bat.
Dottin gave away just one run in the final over which according to Lanning was a crucial moment in the match.
“It was certainly a pivotal moment I guess,” Lanning said. “We just probably slowed a little bit towards the end including that final over.
“That probably gave the West Indies a little bit of momentum heading into their batting innings.” – Reuters
Best of the Tweets after the final:
Kevin Pietersen @KP24
Just a hiccup, @benstokes38! Happens to all great players who put their hands up under pressure! You are a STAR! Braithwaite take a bow!
Michael Vaughan @MichaelVaughan
Respect @darrensammy88 .. Great words tonight .. Passionate with a huge amount of meaning .. Let’s hope your @westindies board take note ..
Graham Onions @BunnyOnions
Wish Samuels was a half decent bloke because I’d be heaping praise on him as he played so well...never mind.Good moves the Emirates girls
AB de Villiers @ABdeVilliers17
Goodness Gracious Me! That was an incredible game of Cricket. Well done Captain @darrensammy88 and @westindies Cricket