Brit grit will clash with Caribbean flair today at the finals of the World ICC T20 Championship in Kolkata. There are no clear favourites here as both reached the final lap after knocking out the favourites.
Route to the final
Both England and West Indies have won the World T20 championship in 2010 and 2012 respectively.
In the semi-finals of the 2016 edition, England, powered by Jason Roy's scintillating knock, knocked out New Zealand in the first semifinals at New Delhi on March 30, 2016.
In the other semifinals, 'lucky' Simmons powered West Indies through to the finals by knocking India out at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 31, 2016.
West Indies might be starting with a psychological advantage as in group match, West Indies, muscled by Chris Gayle's century, chased down the target of 180+ and had beaten England.
Who is in form and who is not
England
Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Joe Root are in tremendous batting form. In the semifinal, despite giving away too many runs at the beginning, England, led by Ben Stokes, bowled brilliantly to restrict New Zealand.
West Indies
Despite the early dismissal in the semifinal against India, Chris Gayle can tear any bowling attack apart when he gets going. Charles, Simmons and Russell have all contributed in the semifinals.
The inconsistency of Marlon Samuels might have a telling effect in the West Indies' middle order.
Lendl Simmons, though two time lucky against India, played lovely shots and was in a murderous mood. His IPL experience with the Mumbai Indians paid off well.
Though erratic, Windies bowlers have done reasonably well. Samuel Badree will be the man to watch as he has bowled well in the powerplay overs not giving away too many runs
Keys to success
The Gayle effect
Chris Gayle’s strike-rate in this tournament has been a mind-boggling 194.64 and England has to stymie that if it is to engineer hopes of walking away with the cup. Chris Jordan and his fellow bowlers have an unenviable task.
Surface tension
The West Indies and England, traditional bases for fast and swing bowling, do have adequate spin reserves. With the Eden Gardens pitch now sporting a green tinge, both managements may have a few headaches in striking the right balance in their playing elevens.
Time for exorcism
England and effervescence were considered to be strange bed-fellows until Kevin Pietersen came along and merrily biffed. His unsavoury exit and the odd whispers about the team missing his batting can be laid to rest if the squad does claim the title.
Head to Head: West Indies 9, England 4
Head to Head in ICC World Twenty20: West Indies 4, England 0
Weather
A warm Sunday with a high of 35 degrees has been forecast. Citizens aver that high humidity tends to draw in rain-bearing clouds.
Pitch
The surfaces here were on the slower side so far during the tournament. The latest one may offer a different twist and England skipper Eoin Morgan said: “There is a nice covering of grass, seems to be a good cricket wicket.”
Teams (from):
West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn and Jerome Taylor.
England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Jason Roy, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, James Vince and David Willey.
Game theory
A look at what decides West Indies-England Twenty20 matches ahead of the final
West Indies wins every time
>> When Bravo takes a wicket or more
>> When it wins the toss and chases
>> When Gayle hits at least two sixes
>> When Badree bowls his four overs
England wins every time
>> When Hales hits at least six fours
>> When Jordan takes two PowerPlay wickets
>> When it raises 100 for the 1st or 2nd wickets
>> When Russell gets out and costs at least 10 an over
Ground reality: The four matches at Eden Gardens this tournament have been split between sides batting first and chasing.
Average first innings score: 154.25
Average second innings score: 122.5
