West Indies Defeat England in T20 World Cup Match
England was set to launch their campaign in the T-20 world championship against the hosts the West Indies at the providence stadium in Guyana. England posted a hefty target of 191 runs but Chris Gayle and Co responded well before the rain stopped the game. When the rain finally stopped, West Indies were given an unbeatable position of 60 from six overs due to Duckworth Lewis method. This would have been a thrilling game but rain ruined it. West Indies go through, which is very good for the tournament. England will now face Ireland tomorrow for do or die match, where the winner will move to the next stage.
The match was the second encounter of the day, following the Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe where Sri Lanka won by 14 runs (D/L method).
The providence wicket suits slower bowlers and the West Indians tried to choke the English batsmen for runs but it did not work and England powered their way to 191. The Calypsos bulldozed minnows Ireland in their opening encounter, running through the Europeans fir 68 runs only, after failing to break the 140 barrier batting first.
All-rounder Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo were the stars of that win making crucial runs, and chipping in with the wickets at the right time, to the delight of a partisan home crowd. England led by Paul Collingwood done very well with their batting. Everyone contributed, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Paul Collingwood Craig Kieswetter and Michael Yardy all provided the impetus to the English innings but at the end it was not enough.
England needed inspiration from their leader Paul Collingwood, who lead from the front and ensure that he played the sterling role for his team. Over the years leadership has remained the key for the teams that have had success at the limited over competitions, from the days of Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Allan Border and Imran Khan, it has been the trend that the men who are willing to take bold decisions and rely on their own killer instinct that has spurred the teams to win.
England has failed to make it to the semi-finals of either of the two T-20 World championships played to date; they were knocked out by a belligerent Yuvraj Singh in the opening edition in South Africa, while last year South Africa nipped their progress in the bud with a clinical performance at Trent Bridge Nottingham.
The odds are stacked against the POMS despite the abundance of talent in their ranks; hence it would have to be an extra special effort by their captain that can galvanise their bid of making it to the finals, and lifting silver ware. The Calypsos have fanatic supporters who still are passionate about the game backing them, when the chips are down.
The Caribbean islands would unite as they vow to back their team in the championship; the hosts have started positively with a clinical disposition of Ireland in their opening encounter and now a win over England.
A loss today for England would not hamper their chances of a berth in the super eights stage of the competition. They are still favorites to win against Ireland tomorrow.
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