West Indies win by seven wickets and that was a very impressive all-round performance. Their spinners and fielding was outstanding, then Andre Fletcher handsomely filled the boots of an injured Chris Gayle. The crowd were teased as they hoped to see the big man, but he wasn't needed in the end. West Indies now two from two. Apart from Sri Lanka's spinners they were very ordinary tonight even if a few decisions didn't go their way.
Safa: "Some of the umpire decisions may not have been in the Sri Lankan team's favour, but after this series of fielding fumbles, they don't really deserve to win anyway."
Venu: "So Gayle's injury was a blessing in disguise for WI. They could win comfortably without Gayle batting. And that will be a confidence booster for the following games." They wanted to show they weren't a one-man batting unit. Now they are very close to the semi-finals.
Gayle comes out to wave to his fans around the ground. Taking in all the love.
Man of the match is Andre Fletcher "As the ball got older it became harder so I just tried to bat through. Chris is my mentor in T20 and before I went in he said I would have a big day so I want to thank him for that confidence. But I don't think anyone can take his job. The bowlers did their job and the batsmen had to finish it. Good to have another win. We are all as one, unity and strength. We don't want to get complacent and will play each game as a final."
I will bring you a few words from the captains shortly
Darren Sammy "It was good to see the way we bowled. And then the way Fletcher batted was brilliant. I'm happy as a captain. When you select someone and they have an impact you are happy. The spinners are the ones getting the wickets and keeping down the rate. The way Badree and Benn bowled in the Powerplay. I hope Chris will be okay but today showed we aren't a one-man show. We have 15 potential matchwinners."
Angelo Mathews "I thought we were 20-30 runs short and we were horrible in the field. The middle order let us down. It was really difficult for us today. We wanted 150 somehow but couldn't do it."
That just about wraps things up for today. West Indies well placed in this group now, while it's tight between South Africa, Sri Lanka and England. Our match report will be here to recap the day but, for now, from Andrew McGlashan it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.
Sammy already dancing in the dugout
Perera to bowl for the first time in the innings. Yeshan: "Sri Lanka's Fielding : Not Discuss but Disgust! "
END OF OVER:18 | 6 Runs | WI: 116/3 (7 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.44, RRR: 3.50)
- Andre Fletcher84 (64b)
- Andre Russell10 (6b)
- Dushmantha Chameera3-0-15-0
- Nuwan Kulasekara2-0-17-0
Sri Lanka's fielding: discuss
Kevin: "Great innings from Andre Fletcher. He has improve tremendously. Should be given a chance in the ODI team as well"
Grammar Nazi: "*bowled out -- Sheesh proof read it!" I do apologise for all the words I have typed today
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs | WI: 110/3 (13 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.47, RRR: 4.33)
- Andre Fletcher79 (59b)
- Andre Russell9 (5b)
- Nuwan Kulasekara2-0-17-0
- Dushmantha Chameera2-0-9-0
This game is nearly done and dusted.D: "If not for umpiring blunders, this would have been easy win for SL! " Well, not sure about that but they certainly haven't helped.
