 |
| Getty Images |
West Indies reached their maiden World Twenty20 final with a 74-run win over Australia in Colombo.
Opener Chris Gayle batted through for 75 not out as West Indies piled up 205-4 after opting to bat first, the first 200-plus total of the tournament.
Australia were bowled out for 131 in reply, the only bright spot of which was skipper George Bailey's 29-ball 63.
Gayle faced 41 balls and accounted for six of his side's 14 sixes despite appearing to be in pain from an abdominal injury as the innings progressed.
Marlon Samuels (26) and Dwayne Bravo (37) both made useful contributions before Kieron Pollard added a late flourish with 38 off 15 deliveries, including three successive sixes as the final over, bowled by left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty (1-48), disappeared for 25 runs.
Australia slumped to 43-6 in reply, leg-spinner Samuel Badree (2-27) removing openers David Warner (1) and Shane Watson (7) and seamer Ravi Rampaul striking twice in his first over.
Bailey launched a furious counter-attack but was caught on the boundary trying to add to his four sixes and the tail quickly subsided as Australia lasted 16.4 overs in total.
West Indies will take on host nation Sri Lanka in Sunday's final at the same venue.
No comments:
Post a Comment