Calypso Cricketers- Title Winners Cricket T20

The West Indies had the last laugh in both forms of the T20 World Cup. First their Women out batted the Aussie Women to break the Aussie monopoly on Women’s T 20 World Cup  and  then their men blew hot and cold before a storm called Carlos Braithwaite  wiped England out . But before they got to the Finals , the West Indies ( WI ) , did the unthinkable – knocking host and favourite India out of the Contention.

The semifinal between India and  WI was a great match . India batting first , put runs on the board—thanks once again to Virat—Exceptional batting and  superb running between the wickets, made sure India got to a total that to me was probably twenty runs short . Although we made good progress , there was no big overs in the innings that would have helped India get to a 215-220 and that probably cost us the match.

WI although losing Gayle had enough hitters ( not batters ) who went about the task merrily to get them home very easily. Lendl Simmons who just joined the team played typical WI cricket and helped by two No Ball chances ,ensured victory for the WI. At no stage did India look like containing them .On a docile wicket  and a small ground ,  getting to the boundaries was Childs play to the WI. While it was disappointing to see India lose , there was no doubt as to who was the better team on that day

In the other semifinal , a lackluster performance by the Kiwis helped England to the final.

The final was played in a remarkable, typical Kolkata Eden Garden atmosphere ( there was no home interest , yet the stadium was up to capacity ). If there was any questions about Sammy’s contribution to the WI team , he had a significant one- He won the toss yet again and put England in . England stuttered but still managed a decent score thanks to Root  and Butler and Willey at the end. WI messed up the run chase – Gayle gone and so were the heroes of the previous match – Lendl Simmons and Johnson Charles . However , Marlon Samuels stay put and stitched the innings – first with Bravo and later with the Onslaught man Carlos Braithwaite .

Still it looked as though  the game was in England’s favour,  post overs 18 and 19 . The final over to be bowled required WI to score 19. Four sixes in a row by Braithwaite stunned England and Ben Stokes the bowler of the last over.

1.       WI teams have had  a great time in the shorter version of the game – their U19 team won the World Cup in Jan , followed by the Women and Men winning the T20 titles

2.       They will do very well in the shorter form of the game. I doubt , if they will do well in the longer format – tests

3.       They had in their team , players who could change the course of the game and it could be anybody--  It was Lendl Simmons in the semis , it was Samuels and Braithwaite in the final while it was Gayle and Fletcher in their earlier matches , with Russell rubbing it in when needed

4.       They had the least support – Their Board did not approve the team and they got their kits and clothing at the last minute. Crowd support was NIL in the semis and it turned around to their support towards the later part of the final. The team manager was appointed few days ahead of the World Cup

5.       They play fearless Cricket – Braithwaite hit those sixes with amazing timing and connection. Clean hits out of the fencing.

6.       My heart went out to them after hearing Sammy talk about their difficulties and their coming together to overcome  the obstacles. Sammy quipped that this may be their last day together as a team and he was going to enjoy – for the WI board may drop them for future matches ! That tells you a lot about the situation

7.       It was great to see Curtly Ambrose , Phil Simmons , Stuart  Williams in the coaching staff of the WI team . Marlon Samuels gave it back to Shane Warne for all the comments and his earlier tinge – Samuels let his bat do the talking before talking !

8.       They played cricket in their only way—joy and happiness and entertainment- calypso style

Great way to end the week end and the  T 20tournament- it was one of the best  T20 finals