World T20: Final important for West Indies fans, says Darren Sammy
Thursday 31 March 2016 21:10, UK
West Indies' progression to the World T20 final is a big boost to Caribbean fans, says captain Darren Sammy.
Lendl Simmons (82no), Johnson Charles (52) and Andre Russell (43no) starred with the bat as Sammy's men trumped India's 192-2 to seal a date with England in Kolkata on Sunday.
West Indies could enjoy twin success at the weekend with their women facing Australia in the final of their competition, while the nation's Under-19 side won the 50-over World Cup in January.
"It's a big step," said Sammy, whose players were involved in contractual wrangles with their cricket board prior to the tournament,
"We came here on a mission - we were inspired by the Under-19s boys earlier this year, and the ladies did brilliantly to win [their semi-final against New Zealand].
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"We now have two West Indian teams in the finals and I know that means a lot to the Caribbean people.
"The men's side have been going through a lot - we all know what happened just before the tournament - and we still feel it's this West Indies team and this coaching staff versus everybody else."
Match winner Simmons was only in the West Indies line-up due to Andre Fletcher picking up a hamstring strain in Sunday's Super 10s defeat to Afghanistan.
The 31-year-old, who flew to Mumbai from the Caribbean on Tuesday, says his innings, during which he was caught twice off front-foot no-balls, was made easier by the fact he was playing on his home IPL ground.
"Playing in the IPL has made be a better player, said Simmons. "On these pitches, you adjust to different strokes and I think I read it well.
"Before the game I felt a bit of pressure , but when I entered to bat I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do because we already had a plan to chase the target.
"Every cricketer has a day and this was mine - I had luck on my side and things went the way we wanted it."
On Sunday's final, Simmons added: "We shouldn't be over confident. We have to go to Kolkata and analyse the situation of the game when that comes.
"Conditions will be different, I am sure. It won't be a perfect batting track."
Can West Indies win both World T20 titles? Watch their men play England at 2pm on Sunday on Sky Sports 2 - immediately after their women play Australia (9.30am on the same channel).
