Unbelievable stuff by Brathwaite. He and Samuels scored 54 runs from just 25 balls. During the break, it was wondered whether England had enough on the board. But still, they were ahead in the game till the last over due to some great bowling. Spare a thought for Stokes.
West Indies become the first team to win the World T20 title twice.
Commentary:
6,6,6,6. Win. Stokes can't believe it. England can't believe it.
Brathwaite has done it! Never mind if 19 is needed of just six balls. He hits four sixers of the first four balls of Stokes' final over.
19 runs, 6 balls. Last over coming up. West Indies 137/6 (19 overs)
Samuels begins with a powerful straight boundary of Jordan. But the rest of Jordan's over is a beauty. Just eight runs in total. West Indies needs 19 of the last. Who will bowl? Stokes? Brathwaite to take strike.
27 from two? Can they get it? West Indies: 129/6 after 18
Samuels and Brathwaite make sure they are in the reckoning. After a relatively quiet over, in which Willey had kept it very tight, Brathwaite innovates, moves across the stumps, and scoops it over the keeper for a boundary. 27 needed from two overs. England need to get Samuels out in order to win this.
Jordan showcases his death bowling skills, making it hard the Windies here. Score: 118/6 (17 overs)
Jordan bowls intelligently, keeping one near the wide line and out of reach of Samuels. His over yields West Indies seven runs. Samuels is the man England would be hoping to get. His partner now is Brathwaite, surely not a front-line batsman but he is someone who can keep the big hits going.
Double blow for West Indies, lose Sammy, Russel in that over. Score is 111/6 after 16 overs
Willey has put England on top again! First Andre Russell's powerful flat pull isn't powerful enough to beat the mid-wicket fielder, Ben Stokes, who takes what's not a very easy catch. And then, just a few balls later, West Indies skipper Sammy plays an inexplicable shot for someone who has just been there for a few balls, hitting straight to the deep cover man. Willey's bowling: 3-0-10-3.
It's getting close. West Indies 104/4 after 15
What an innings Samuels is playing! He has just hit Plunkett for two powerful sixers, plus one four. That's 18 from that over. Five to go, 52 to win. That's an equation that seems familiar and doable.
Samuels hits a half-century, remains the key in this chase. Windies 86/4 after 14 overs
Bravo takes on Rashid, walloping him for a six, but Rashid has the last laugh as he get him to top-edge a pull to the point region. Easy catch taken. Meanwhile, Samuels has reached his half-century. He has been there, done that before. In the 2012 WT20 finals, Samuels' 78 contributed immensely to his team's victory. He was also named the man-of-the-match for that effort. He is the key.
After 13, West Indies 76/3
Stokes, the bowler, is distraught. Sam Billings, the twelfth man, seems to have overrun the ball in an attempt to catch a skier at the fine leg region. He slips and, to add insult to the injury, the ball slips away past the boundary. Lucky Bravo! West Indies seems to be having its share of luck in the finals too. Nine runs from that over.
Required rate is 11 now. After 12 overs, West Indies 67/3
Rashid is unafraid to flight the ball. Still, he can’t get Bravo and Samuels to take risks of his bowling. Just five runs scored. Rashid has just given away 13 runs from three overs. The required rate for the batting side is over 11 now.
Windies need to get going quickly. Score 62/3 after 11 overs
Stokes starts loosely, giving Samuels enough space to hit his trademark shot through the point region for a boundary. Still, West Indies manage just eight runs from it. It is being said that there’s enough firepower for the Windies but it isn’t very clear if it’s the type of wicket where it’s easy for anyone to just come in and start playing the shots. All the more reason to up the rate a bit.
Windies half way through the innings. Windies 54/3 after 10 overs
Rashid is unafraid to throw the ball up. He also sneaks in a couple of googlies, one of which nearly deceives Bravo. What's important is he is keeping the scoring at check. Over 10 runs per over required now, as West Indies gets ready to confront the last 10 overs.
After nine, West Indies 50/3
Another Plunkett over done, and it does seem Bravo and Samuels are still trying to consolidate. The run rate required now is around 9.5. The over starts with a boundary but Plunkett manages to pull things back. He has just let 11 runs in his three overs till now. Effective quick bowling!
After eight overs, West Indies 43/3
Just the second ball from leg-spinner Rashid could spook the batting team, as it moves sharply past Bravo’s bat. The rest of the over shows less spinning promise. Just four runs from this over.
Windies get going. After seven overs, 39/3
Samuels breaks the dry spell for West Indies with three fours, one of which is a mistimed pull that crosses the boundary behind the keeper. The other two boundaries are pure delight, one of them through the covers. Samuels helps the Windies score 16 of that over. Jordan, the bowler, is clearly under pressure.
That's the end of the powerplay overs. West Indies 37/3
Samuels breaks the dry spell for West Indies with three fours, one of which is a mistimed pull that crosses the boundary behind the keeper. The other two boundaries are pure delight, one of them through the covers. Samuels helps the Windies score 16 of that over. Jordan, the bowler, is clearly under pressure.
David Willey celebrates the wicket of Lendl Simmons. Photo: K.R. Deepak
A relatively quiet over. West Indies 21/3, after 5.
Plunkett then follows it up with a tight fifth over, one in which West Indies manages just three, including a leg bye. Plunkett’s bowling fast.
West Indies 18/3 after four overs
Root isn't given another over, perhaps because both batsmen in operation now are right-handed. A relatively quiet over from Jordan - five runs in all, five singles. In the context of all that has happened, it's an uneventful over. The game in now set up beautifully.
Simmons falls! West Indies 13/3 after three overs
And now, Simmons, the man who helped West Indies overcome India in the semi-finals a few days back, is now out without scoring - a golden duck. No luck this time. I am surprised not to hear clichés about how cricket is a great leveller. Samuels and Bravo at the crease now, and they would want to do what Root and Buttler did for England.
From the legend:
Come on think it through boys. Settle down n bat properly we hv d fire power to chase anything in the last 10 wit >@least 7 wickets in hand
— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) >April 3, 2016
West Indies 10/2 after two overs
Morgan, take a bow! What an idea! Root is asked to bowl his part-time off spinners, and his bowling card looks like this after three balls: W4W. First, Charles, who seemed unnerved after Willey’s first over, hits a skier straight down the throat of Stokes at mid-on. Then, Gayle (yes GAYLE!) hits straight to long-off. Two fours are scored in that over, including one by Marlon Samuels, but hey Root has managed to put the pressure back on West Indies. Game on!
After the first over, West Indies 1/0
The last time the two teams met – on March 16 at the Super 10 stage – David Willey snapped Charles on zero with some late swing. Willey clearly has the upper-hand against Charles, as the batsman shows his unease while playing out the first over. Willey swings a bit, largely bowling full. Just one run managed.
***************
West Indies were relentless with ball as they restricted England to score of 155/9. England may not be too happy with this. They were 110 for 4 in the middle of the 14th over. They have only added 45 runs since. Still, a 156 run target isn’t too bad for the finals. Can England find their own Badree?
England would have to thank Root and Buttler for having scored as much as they have. Because, at the outset itself, it seemed as if the England innings was ready to implode. But this pair has not only given England an iota of respectability but also a fighting chance to win. West Indies have to thank Badree for making sure England had to be on the recovery mode from over one.
After 20 overs, England finish at 155/9
The last Russell over isn’t that bad for England. Jordan and the No. 11 batsman Adil Rashid manage 10 runs. Still, a 156 run target isn’t too bad for the finals. Can England find their own Badree?
160 on the cards? England 145/9 after 19 overs.
The procession to the pavilion continues, as Liam Plunkett gives Bravo his third wicket and Badree one more memorable moment in this finals. He swings only to find the ball dipping in the short third-man region, where Badree takes a diving catch. He might have injured his shoulder in the process. Just one more over to go.
Can Jordan pull off something special? After 18 overs, England 138/8
Willey’s cameo ends as Charles dives forward to claim his catch in the mid-wicket region. Willey managed to add to last over’s tally by hitting a powerful straight boundary but that was about all. England’s hopes of ending this half on a high would have faded with Willey’s wicket.
Finally some resistance. England 131/7 after 17 overs
Willey shows England how to fight. He hits two sixes of Bravo, one of them straight, and there’s still some hope for his team to end with a fighting total.
Four overs to go. England 117/7 after 16 overs.
Russell comes back for his third over. He just lets two runs, one of them a leg bye, in the entire over. England needs to do better, much better.
Entering the last five overs of the innings. Head to our >Twitter page and predict England's final score . After 15 overs, England 115/7
Even die-hard England fans might want to switch their TVs off. Root, their redeemer today, is out to a scoop. Brathwaite gets another wicket. Only five more overs to go, and it’s an understatement to say that Chris Jordan and David Willey have a challenge in their hands.
How much will England total at the end of 20 overs? >#WT20Final>https://t.co/BuKuNQ4nZl
— The Hindu - Sports (@TheHinduSports) >April 3, 2016
England's problems get bigger; after 14 overs, the score read 110/6
A double whammy! Bravo delivers a slow bouncer and Stokes is clueless as to how to deal with it. He seems to withdraw his bat, but actually doesn’t. Result: the ball lobs into the safe hands of Simmons. Moeen Ali, who follows Stokes, doesn’t bother the scorers. Another slower one, this time on the leg side, and all Ali does is nick it to the keeper. No doubt about who is on top now.
Root stands firm, England reaches 103/4 after 13 overs
Captain Darren Sammy bowls his third over of the tournament, and England quickly sense he isn’t in great form. Sammy leaks 14 runs. Root and Stokes earn a boundary each, the former through point and the latter through mid-wicket. Root has reached 50, and what a time to do so! Root came in to face the third ball of the innings, and saw the Windies prise out two more England wickets cheaply before the team was put back on the rails by a partnership he had with Buttler.
After 12 overs, England 89/4.
Just when it seems Buttler is becoming a serious threat for the Windies, Brathwaite manages to get him to pull straight into the hands of Bravo. Ben Stokes comes in, and there’s still a long way to go before England puts up a competitive score on the board.
The start of something big? Buttler accelerates; England 83/3 after 11 overs.
Buttler is turning this around. He hits two handsome straight sixes of Benn’s first two balls. 16 runs come of the over. Root and Buttler have scored 60 runs in 38 balls. That’s a fantastic partnership.
Photo: Getty Images
At the half-way mark, England's score is 67/3
Russell’s back, and England manage another 10-run over without any major risk. This pair is already putting back the pressure on the West Indies. Half way mark. England will be happy with the way they have recovered.
Benn, the weak link in Windies bowling line-up? After 9 overs, England 57/3
England continues to have it easy against Benn. They score 10 runs of his second. The highlight of the over is a beautiful six from Buttler over extra cover. West Indies might not want to give this pair the momentum.
Afer eight overs, England 47/3
England take six runs from Carlos Brathwaite’s first. While Badree has finished his spell, four other bowlers have each bowled an over each. And except for Russell, the others haven’t been that effective or threatening. England could take heart from that.
After seven overs, England 41/3
Badree finishes his spell. His last has to be his least effective in this match. Root manages a boundary of a full toss. Still, Badree’s 4-1-16-2 could well set the pace for the rest of England’s innings. Can they recover from the early dents?
Powerplay overs are done with and after six overs, score reads 33/2
Dwayne Bravo replaces Benn but can’t make much impact with his slower ones. Buttler seems calmly confident of this situation. He scores a boundary over point. England manage 10 this over. Powerplay ends with the score at 33 / 3, certainly not a situation England would have hoped for when they were asked to bat by the West Indies.
Wickets continue to tumble; England needs to get a move on. After five overs, 23/2
Will we have an early dinner? Badree, who gets his third straight over, removes Morgan with a googly. Morgan, who seemed ill at ease at the crease, could only nick it to the waiting hands of Chris Gayle. Smashing batsman Jos Buttler is at the crease now. Essentially a finisher, Buttler is in the middle in the fifth over itself. Badree has figures of 3-1-8-2. Wow!
Any chance we can start again .. >#Mulligan
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) >April 3, 2016
Will it be Root's day? England trying to put together a partnership here; England, after four overs, 23/2.
The 6 ft. 7 in.Sulieman Benn replaces Russell, and there’s immediate relief for England. Three boundaries come – all wonderful cricketing shots. Morgan gets a boundary too, clearing the infield. England should be happy that Root is around, as he is most assured in the crease.
West Indies tightening the screws here, England 9/2 after 3 overs.
Badree comes back to bowl a tight second over – letting just one run. Morgan is cautious and is beaten by a ball that seems to go the other way. Morgan is yet to open his account.
After the second over, England: 8/2.
England has a problem in its hands. Roy’s partner Alex Hales is out to a poor ball – he just deposits a short ball straight into the hands of the fine-leg fielder. Eoin Morgan, who has two golden ducks in this tournament, comes in and manages to defend the first ball. That must be some relief. Only some! West Indies had two slips in place for Morgan’s first.
After the first over, England: 7/1.
The celebrations continue seamlessly for the West Indies as leg spinning, opening bowler Samuel Badree skids one past Jason Roy, the hero of England’s semi-final chase against New Zealand. Joe Root then elegantly drives off the back-foot of a shortish one from Badree for England’s first boundary. What a beginning for the Windies.
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy says his team will bowl first.
West Indies will already be in a celebratory mood, because earlier today their women’s team >easily beat Australia in the finals. This is West Indies’ first women’s T20 title.
Darren Sammy celebrates the women's team's victory with captain Stafanie Taylor. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Hayley Matthews gets the player of the match award for her 66 runs. An off-spinner, Matthews also got a wicket, bowling the second over of the match.
Six years ago, the Dublin-born, current England captain Eoin Morgan was at the non-striker’s end as he watched Paul Collingwood hit the winning run against Australia at the final of the ICC World Twenty20 championship at Kensington Oval, Barbados. That was a comfortable victory.
Four years ago, West Indies captain Darren Sammy played a key role in an equally comfortable victory against Sri Lanka at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, to lift the world T20 crown. Today, their teams face off in the finals of the 2016 edition.
They have both beaten strong contenders to the title in the semi-finals – England making short work of a consistently efficient New Zealand side and West Indies beating overwhelming favourites India at home – though they have had to encounter minor blips in their journey to the finals.
