'World Cup is definitely ours, sorry Sri Lanka', Gayle by Asher Wilson

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Ground:	R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Scorecard:	Sri Lanka v West Indies
Event:	ICC World Twenty20 2012/13

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DateLine: 7th October 2012

 

Sri Lanka vs West Indies
World T20 2012/13
Final
07 Oct 2012
Match Preview

 

After three weeks of non-stop, electrifying cricket in South-East Asia, we are left with two small island nations to decide who will be 2012 World T20 champions. It's Sri Lanka v West Indies, it's Baila v Calypso in the final at Colombo. For the World T20 2012, it is finally 'D' Day. One team will be crowned the champions, while the other will have to make do with a small runner's up medal and a hurt ego. Sri Lanka couldn't have asked for a better scenario, they have a chance of clinching glory in front of their home crowd, however, that depends on whether they thrive under pressure or crumble.

 

West Indies have momentum behind them and enter this contest on the back of some thrilling performances. One thing the men from the Caribbean have done well, is put in a good all-round performance and that is something they will yearn for in the final. There will be some pressure on Darren Sammy and his men since this side doesn't have much experience in the current scenario. After all, it has been six years since the West Indies made it to a final of an ICC event, the last occasion being in the ICC Champions Trophy 2006.

 

Sri Lanka, one of the most consistent teams in world cricket are playing their fourth cup final in three years (2007 World Cup, 2009 World T20 and 2011 World Cup) and will go into this game as clear favorites. Sri Lanka will be desperate to capitalize on this final. The hosts remained unbeaten in the 2009 T20 WC 2012, however, faltered in the final and lost to Pakistan. This tournament's story has been quite similar for the Lankans, with plenty of victories and just the one loss to South Africa in the group stage. Mahela Jayawardene and his men will certainly not want to let history repeat itself and will know that they will not get a better opportunity than this.

 

Chris Gayle has already made it clear that his side is the favorite to win the World Cup, and he probably has every right to do so after the way he has wielded the willow in this tournament. The big Jamaican was there right until the end and his 75 from 41 balls helped towards a total of 205 that was far beyond Australia. Gayle is crucial to Windies' hopes but a side strain that required on field treatment must be a concern. There are no reports as to the extent of this injury but the physio team will be doing all they can to get their main man fit enough to step onto the field. Apart from Gayle at the top, this batting line up has the capability of sending a shiver down the spine of any bowler. With big hitting batsmen of the likes of Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, this line up promises to put in a venomous performance.

 

The bowling too boasts of tremendous balance and better still, it is perfect for the conditions in Sri Lanka. Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree and Marlon Samuels add immense value to the spin department, however, this spin attack will be put to the test when they take on Sri Lanka, a side quite capable of handling top quality spin. Ravi Rampaul will lead the pace attack and Sammy could be tempted to bring in Fidel Edwards to test the hosts. Apart from that there is plenty of variety in the attack in the form of Pollard and Bravo, who are known for their ability to vary the pace.

 

Mahela and his men will be extremely pleased with how they have fared in this tournament. The batting has clicked until now, however, as was evident in the game against Pakistan, this line up is heavily dependent on the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and the captain. Despite that though, Sri Lanka does have a few all rounders who can turn it up on the big day, Angelo Mathews and Jeevan Mendis to name a few.

 

Bowling has been the key for the hosts in this tournament. The line up is a real threat with spinners of the quality of Ajantha Mendis, Akila Dananjaya and Rangana Herath. Dananjaya was left out of the game against Pakistan, however, he could come in for Herath in the final. That move should be handy against left-hander Gayle. Just like their opponents, Sri Lanka too have some variety in their attack in the form of Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara and the accurate Lasith Malinga.

 

With both sides so evenly matched, the game will probably be decided on which bats better. Going by the current batting form, West Indies might just clinch this one.

 

When the two sides met in the Super Eights at Pallekele, the hosts posted a comfortable win by chasing down the Caribbean total of 129, with nine wickets and 4.4 overs to spare.

 

Some interesting quotes from the two players of both teams:

 

Chris Gayle: "World Cup is definitely ours, sorry Sri Lanka, but I think it is our World Cup. The support will be more for West Indies on Sunday. We love Sri Lanka, but sorry, it is going to be West Indies all the way. The final will be a good final but we will be on top, definitely."

 

Mahela Jayawardene: "Gayle is just another player in a very good West Indies side. But we plan and analyze for a team, not individuals"

 

Pitch and Conditions:

 

The final will be played on a surface similar to the one used for the game between Sri Lanka and Australia. So expect a pitch that offers plenty for the spinners and not much for the quicker bowlers.

 

Sri Lanka (From): Mahela Jayawardene(c), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(w), Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Akila Dananjaya Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Shaminda Eranga, Dilshan Munaweera

 

West Indies (From): Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Denesh Ramdin(w), Darren Sammy(c), Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Smith, Darren Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Lendl Simmons

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2012 Pakistan Cricket Website)