In a repeat of last year’s semi-final in the T20 World Cup in England, the West Indies are locking horns with Sri Lanka at the Bridgetown in Barbados.
The tie will be crucial to both teams, as fixtures in Group F get underway, with positions for the semifinals up for grabs.
The hosts were clinical in their dismantling of the Irish team in the opening encounter, while sneaked through in wet weather against the West Indies despite conceding the joint highest total of the tournament against England in Guyana.
Bolstered by the return of Chris Gayle for the second match, the Calypso Kings were too hot to handle. They accomplished a straightforward task of scoring 60 runs in six overs, with all their wickets intact, as the controversial Duckworth and Lewis method conspired against the Englishmen.
Therefore, the West Indians have an unblemished record in the tournament, going into the super eights. Yet, their sternest test at this stage would be to face the spirited SriLankan's, besides the buoyant Australians and Indians in the crucial stage of the event.
The home crowd has come in numbers to support the local favorites who are expected to dish out a colorful atmosphere in the Bridgetown, Barbados. The wicket for the match is expected to provide pace and bounce to the West Indian quickies. Led by Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul, the West Indian bowlers were on song against the Irishmen but they struggled against the quality of the English batsmen.
The test against the SriLankan's would be the sternest test the Caribbean team with the likes of Mahela Jayewardene and Tillekaratne Dilshan capable enough of wreaking havoc with the bat. No matter who the opposition is, the Calypsos would have to guard against complacency.
Interestingly, veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuria hardly got an opportunity of wielding his willow for a considerable time in the tournament. Yet, the left hander, who is rated amongst the legends of the game, was at his brilliant best in the event last year, and would once again be critical to his team’s chances as the event enters its business end, with the super eights, semi-finals and the big final.
The SriLankan's are also hoping that legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will recover in time for the match against the West Indies. The off-spinner suffered an injury at the start of the tournament. However, the wily off-spinner has recovered earlier than expected and might take to the field in the game against the hosts today.
The SriLankan team also has other potent bowlers in the shape of spinner Ajantha Mendis and Sanath Jayasuria. While opening bowler Lasith Malinga is one of the most difficult bowlers to get away in the death overs, largely due to his ability of bowling searing yorkers.
The hosts would have to rely on their home fans to give them the much-needed encouragement; the local crowd also got a nod of approval from the Chief executive of cricket’s governing body the International Cricket Council. Haroon Lorgat feels that the vibrant audiences at the Caribbean grounds have given an added dimension to the color and razzmatazz's at the games, making it turn into a carnival.
The tournament has seen a plethora of sixes and fours besides wickets tumbling in a moment through out the pulsating encounters that have the making of a Hollywood blockbuster due to the non-stop action provided in the games.
Another spellbinder is in the making at Barbados today, and it looks like the team that can hold its nerve and execute the basics of the game properly, is going to emerge victorious.
The Barbadians would hope it is the turn of the Calypso Kings to avenge their defeat in the semi-final last year, so let the action begin!
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