The West Indies showcased an all-round performance on Friday night to storm into the ICC Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup final beating Australia by a massive 74 runs in the second semi-final at Colombo. Opting to bat first, the West Indies amassed a mammoth 205 for 4 in the stipulated 20 overs, with fire blades man Chris Gayle leading the assault. Gayle scored an unbeaten 75 off 41 balls, featuring 5 fours and 6 sixes. It was the late fireworks from Gayle and Keiron Pollard, who hit two sixes each in the final over of their innings, that helped the West Indies surpass the 200-mark. In reply, Australia began on a disappointing note as they lost both their in-form openers Shane Watson and David Warner, along with Mike Hussey for just 29 runs. Wickets continued to fall, as the Aussies slid to 43 for 6. Skipper George Bailey resisted by putting up a fighting knock of 63. Aussies were bundle out for 131 in 16.4 overs. Ravi Rampaul scalped 3 wickets, while Pollard, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine bagged 2 each. Gayle was adjudged man of the match. The West Indies will take on host Sri Lanka in the final of the competition at 7 PM tomorrow.
News On AIR | October 6, 2012 10:23 AM
In ICC Twenty-20 World Cup cricket, West Indies storm into the finals beating Australia by 74 runs