West Indies who were touted by many as strong contenders for the tournament did not have best of the starts in the match and struggled with their batting. They gradually shifted the gears and posted a fighting 138-6 on the board.

The host in pursuit of the target never could get going and always found it difficult to live up to the required run rate. West Indies were as clinical as they could get with the ball and bundled out Sri Lanka for a mere 101.

Here are few of the hits and flops of the match:

Marlon Samuels: He was the main architect for this epic victory. Coming to bat after West Indies were one wicket down, he played cautiously in the beginning. But then soon upped the ante  and started taking on the attack to the Lankans. He played some electrifying shots and were hitting the bowlers all over the park. He unleashed his fury most on Lasith Malinga who went for 54 in four overs. Samuel scored 78 of 56 deliveries which was laced with three fours and six huge sixes. He was good with the ball as well and picked up a wicket by giving away just 15 runs in four overs. His all round effort earned him the man of the match award.

Darren Sammy: He played a stellar role in the match first with the bat and then with the ball. He unleashed some lusty blow at the end and helped West Indies past that 130 mark. He scored an unbeaten 26 off 15 deliveries that included three boundaries. And while bowling he was very instrumental in stopping the Lankan charge and took two important wickets by giving away just six runs.

Sunil Narine: He did not start the tournament off on a good note but then came to the party during the last stages of the Super Eights and since then he has been on a roll. In yesterday’s match the way pitch was acting, Narine was expected to play a huge role and so did he. He was the pick of the West Indian bowlers and diffused the Lankan batting attack. He ended the match with figures of 3-9 in 3.4 overs.

Flops:

Johnson Charles: Barring the match against England where he scored a brilliant 82, did not do much in the tournament. He flopped in all the subsequent matches and yesterday when he was expected to get the team off to a flying start, he disappointed. He was out for a duck in the first over of the match.

Sri Lanka:

Mahela Jayawerdene: He has been their best batsmen in the tournament and even yesterday it was the skipper who put up the fight. It was difficult to score on a pitch like yesterday, but Mahela still managed to keep the scoreboard ticking. He scored 33 off 36 balls including two fours and got out while trying to up the ante.

Nuwan Kulasekara: He was an unlikely hero with the bat for Sri Lanka in their dismal campaign. When all other fancied batsmen were finding it tough to score, he launched an onslaught. He scored a quick-fire 26 off 13 balls including three fours and a six to give a scare to West Indies. He however was unfortunate for not being able to see the hosts through.

Ajantha Mendis: Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Mendis, Sri Lanka’s most potent spinner was bang on target yet again. Mendis who enjoyed considerable success in the tournament was once again brilliant with the ball. He was able to put a leash on this boisterous West Indies batting line-up. He gave away just 12 runs in his four overs and picked up three crucial wickets.

Flops:

Tillakaratne Dilshan: This is one tournament that he would like to erase from his memory very soon. He was woeful in the tournament so far and yesterday was the day for him to deliver upfront. But he failed miserably and was out for a duck. His wicket never allowed Sri Lanka to come back into the match.

Lasith Malinga: No one would have expected that even on his worst possible day, he would go more than 10 runs an over in a T20 match. But then in yesterday’s match it happened and Malinga was at the receiving end of Samuel’s wrath. Malinga ended the match wicket-less and gave away 54 runs in the four overs that he bowled.

By Indian Sports News Network