Sri Lanka's prayers were answered, says Sammy

Divine intervention may have been partially responsible for Sri Lanka's World Twenty20 semi-final victory on Thursday, according to West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

Chasing 161 for victory, holders West Indies were 80 for four in the 14th over when a hailstorm lashed the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The rain eventually relented but no further play was possible with the outfield saturated, leaving Sri Lanka the winners by 27 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Sri Lanka will now make their fifth final appearance in a global competition, having been beaten in the title showdown of the 50-over World Cup in 2007 and 2011 and at the World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012.

Sammy felt that batting greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who are playing in their final Twenty20 tournament, were perhaps destined to taste World Cup glory at last.

"We know God normally answers our prayers but today I guess two gentlemen who have played for Sri Lanka, given a lot not only to Sri Lanka cricket but cricket as a whole, I guess the Almighty wants them to leave on a high," Sammy told reporters.

"They have one more game to try and win a World Cup. Probably that's the reason why God put His hand up in this match."

The pair had forgettable personal outings though.

Jayawardene was run out before facing a ball while Sangakkara continued his woeful form in the competition, falling for one after giving leg-spinner Samuel Badree a soft return catch.

Sammy said West Indies were capable of chasing down their victory target if the full 20 overs had been possible.

"Just when Dwayne Bravo (30) looked like picking it up, like he did in the last game, he got out but I still believe we could get 12 runs an over for the last six," the captain explained.

"We have been doing that in this tournament."

Sammy and Bravo plundered 82 runs in the final five overs against Pakistan on Tuesday.

MATCH REPORT

Sri Lanka sailed into the World Twenty20 final after beating holders West Indies by 27 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-ruined contest on Thursday.

Chasing 161 for victory against the team they beat in the final of the 2012 tournament, West Indies were 80 for four in 13.5 overs when the players were forced off by a hailstorm and a wet outfield prevented any further action in the semi-final.

Sri Lanka now face the winners of Friday's game between India and South Africa in Sunday's final.

Earlier, cameos from Lahiru Thirimanne (44), Angelo Mathews (40) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (39) led Sri Lanka to 160 for six at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

After opting to bat first, Lasith Malinga's team cruised to 40 for nought inside four overs before Kusal Perera (26) dragged a Krishmar Santokie delivery on to his stumps to trigger a collapse to 49 for three.

Dilshan then added 42 with Thirimanne to steady the innings before the opener was run out.

Thirimanne fell in the 17th over after a 35-ball knock that included two sixes and three fours before Mathews scored some brisk runs to take Sri Lanka past the 150-mark.

Leading the side in place of regular Twenty20 skipper Dinesh Chandimal, fast bowler Malinga removed the dangerous Chris Gayle for three with the first ball of his second over and fellow opener Dwayne Smith for 17 with the fifth delivery.

West Indies also lost Lendl Simmons for four before Dwayne Bravo (30) shared a 43-run stand for the fourth wicket with Marlon Samuels (18 not out).

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara dismissed Bravo in the 14th over and then the weather intervened.

WEST INDIES INNINGS

Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 27 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the first semi-final of the World Twenty20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Rain stops play as the players and umpires run for cover. It's pouring quite heavily and Sri Lanka have the advantage at the moment with 27 runs if the Duckworth/Lewis method comes into effect.

Trouble for West Indies as Bravo, who was looking good, is caught beautifully in the deep by Jayawardene. WI 77-4 in 13.2 overs.

Dwanye Bravo c Jayawardene b Kulasekara 30 (19b 3x4 1x6)

A good over for Windies with 11 runs coming off it. WI 76-3 in 13 overs.

Partnership between Samuels and Bravo reach 31 runs. West Indies are 65-3 in 12 overs. 

West Indies are 53-3 in 10 overs.

Simmons is trapped in front by Prasanna. WI 34-3 in 7.1 overs.

Lendl Simmons lbw b Prasanna 4 (8b 0x4 0x6)

West Indies are 30-2 in 6 overs.

Malinga on a high as he gets another wicket of Smith to end a fantastic over. So both openers back in the hut. WI 28-1 in 4.4 overs.

Dwayne Smith b Malinga 17 (14b 1x4 1x6)

Malinga bowls a beautiful slower one as Gayle plays it on. Big wicket for Lanka as they celebrate. WI 25-1 in 4.1 overs.

Chris Gayle b Malinga 3 (13b 0x4 0x6)

West Indies openers have been kept quiet. Bowlers doing a good job. Windies need 136 runs from 96 balls. WI 25-0 in 4 overs.

Good start from Malinga as he concedes only two runs from his first over. Gayle taking his time like he has in the previous matches here. WI 22-0 in 3 overs.

Fine over from Senanayake. Just three runs from it as Windies reach 20-0 in 2 overs.

A superb start for West Indies. After Smith smashes a boundary and a six to begin the proceedings, Kulasekara bowls two wides with one running to the boundary. WI 17-0 in 1 over.

Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith begin proceedings for West Indies. Nuwan Kulasekara opens for Lanka.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Sri Lanka played well at the start and at the end as they posted a challenging 160 for six in 20 overs.

Kushal Perera (26, 12b, 2x4, 2x6) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (39, 39b, 2x4, 1x6) gave a superb start sharing 41 runs before they lost some quick wickets including that of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

Lahiru Thirimanne (44, 35b, 3x4, 2x6) and Angelo Mathews (40, 23b, 3x4, 2x6) fired during the final overs as Sri Lanka got to a strong total.

For West Indies, Krishmar Santokie claimed two wickets with the spinners bowling a tidy line.

A good final over for Sri Lanka as Mathews reaches 40 off just 22 balls to ensure Lanka finished well. He was out in the last ball after Bravo takes a brilliant catch in the deep. SL 160 for 6 in 20 overs.

Angelo Mathews c Bravo b Russell 40 (23b 3x4 2x6)

Mathews smashes a six and two boundaries as Sri Lanka reach 145-5 in 19 overs.

Narine is through with his bowling. A great spell of 4-0-20-0. SL 128-5 in 18 overs.

Santokie grabs another wicket with a slower one. Thirimanne was looking great. SL 121-4 in 17 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne c Simmons b Santokie 44 (35b 3x4 2x6)

Lanka are 112 for 4 in 16 overs.

Sri Lanka are 107 for four in 15 overs with Thirimanne reaching 36 after a boundary and a six off Russell over.

Angelo Mathews is in the middle. SL 93-4 in 14 overs.

That's a terrible mix-up and settled batsman Dilshan returns. Great work from Simmons at mid-off. SL 91-4 in 13.3 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan run out 39 (39b 2x4 1x6)

Another great over from Narine. Batsmen just don't prefer to take a chance against him. SL 87-3 in 13 overs.

Thirimanne settling down well. A lovely six of Samuels and he reaches 22 from as many balls. SL 84-3 in 12 overs.

Thirimanne makes good use of Sammy's decision to bowl Gayle. Nine easy runs from that over. SL 74-3 in 11 overs.

Another fine over from Samuels as he concedes only seven runs from his two overs. Dilshan on 30. SL 65-3 in 10 overs.

Russell is welcomed with a boundary but recovers well to give away eight runs in his opening over. SL 62-3 in 9 overs.

Dilshan on 22 as Samuels gives just four runs from his opening over. SL 54-3 in 8 overs.

Badree finishes his spell 4-0-23-1. Lanka need a partnership going here with Thirimanne in the middle. SL 50-3 in 7 overs.

Sangakkara goes cheaply. Badree takes a simple catch off his own bowling. Trouble for Lanka. SL 49-3 in 6.2 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara c & b Badree 1 (6b 0x4 0x6)

Narine bowls his first over giving away only five runs. Sammy is using his bowlers well. SL 48-2 in 6 overs.

Sangakkara is in. It's a big responsibility for him with Dilshan. SL 43-2 in 5 overs.

Jayawardene is run out without facing a ball. That's a big blow for Sri Lanka as Windies suddenly look in commanding position. SL 41-2 in 4.2 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene run out 0 (0b 0x4 0x6)

Perera looked strong all the while but Santokie ends his knock. Windies were desperate for a wicket. SL 41-1 in 4 overs.

Kusal Perera b Santokie 26 (12b 2x4 2x6)

A six each from Dilshan and Perera as Sri Lanka make a strong start. SL 32-0 in 3 overs.

Perera makes a very confident start. Two boundaries on the leg side for the left-hander. SL 17-0 in 2 overs.

Dilshan fires a boundary but it looked like Sammy at mid-off almost pulled off a sensational catch. SL 5-0 in 1 over

The battle begins! Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan open for Sri Lanka as Samuel Badree prepares to bowl.

The players are in the ground as they line up for the national anthems.

Sammy says he would have opted to bat too but he is hoping his team can restrict Lankans and then pull off a good win.

Sri Lanka win toss and choose to bat. Malinga feels it's a good wicket to bat and put a big total.

Playing XI:

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga.

West Indies: Dwayne Smith, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Krishmar Santokie

Shane Warne says the pitch's going to be a belter but spinners can dominate as well.

Lasith Malinga is to captain the Sri Lankan team today in the semi-final of the World T20 against West Indies, after Dinesh Chandimal reportedly opted to sit out of the crunch game, Daily Mirror reported.

Chandimal missed Sri Lanka’s last game after he was suspended for a second over-rate offence, as they beat New Zealand by 59 runs to qualify for the semis.

There is likely to be one other change, as Seekuge Prasanna is expected to come in for all rounder Thisara Perera, the report added.

PREVIEW

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath's magical spell against New Zealand have presented Sri Lanka with a "lovely headache" ahead of Thursday's World Twenty20 semi-final against West Indies, coach Paul Farbrace said on Wednesday.

Picked ahead of spin colleague Ajantha Mendis who had proved expensive against England, Herath destroyed New Zealand in a 59-run romp in Chittagong on Monday.

Farbrace conceded Herath had spun a selection dilemma after claiming five wickets for three runs in 21 balls to put Sri Lanka in the semi-finals.

"It's a lovely headache to have," the former Kent player told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

"We know we got some very high-quality spin bowlers in the team. It gives us a really good headache to have. There's been plenty discussion and there will be plenty more before the coin goes up tomorrow night I can assure you."

Sri Lanka will have to quickly adjust to conditions in Mirpur but at least their spinners would be spared the heavy dew factor which made gripping the ball difficult in Chittagong.

"We know here the wicket will turn but again it's about making sure we get the right pace," Farbrace said.

"It's not just about getting the ball to the other end. You got to bowl the right pace and I think that's what Herath did so well in Chittagong against New Zealand. Spinners need to bowl the right pace on the right surface."

Over the past seven years, Sri Lanka have fallen agonisingly short at global events. They lost the finals of the 50-over World Cups in 2007 and 2011 and World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012.

Englishman Farbrace would not call it a psychological barrier.

"You could also look at it and say 'they have done really well in most of the competitions and got to finals'. That's where teams want to be in big events," he said.

"We had a big win here in Asia Cup a few weeks ago. We beat India, we beat Pakistan twice. Not just winning but winning comprehensively. That gave our team a lot of confidence.

"We've played a lot of very close games in the last three months. When you win the, the confidence you get (makes) you believe you can win from anywhere.

Sammy earns his stripes as West Indies skipper

Since being thrust into West Indies captaincy in late 2010, Darren Sammy has been the subject of a constant debate with many questioning his place in the playing XI in the first place, let alone leading the side.

Back-to-back match-winning knocks in the World Twenty20 and two games away from defending the title he led West Indies to in Sri Lanka two years ago, the ever-smiling cricketer from St Lucia seemed to have finally settled the debate.

"Last four years have not been a bed of roses but I keep on enjoying what I do for West Indies and it's good to see performance coming consistently," Sammy said of his rich form ahead of Thursday's semi-final against Sri Lanka.

The first cricketer from St Lucia to lead West Indies was philosophical explaining why enjoying the game meant more to him than captaincy.

"For me it has never been about whether I'm the captain or not. I just enjoy playing for West Indies.

"Not many people get to wake up in the morning and do something they love. I have a lot of friends who probably don't want to get up in the morning to go to work.

"It's all about West Indies for me. It's never been about Darren."

Team mate Dwayne Bravo felt Sammy had finally found his role in the playing XI which boosted his confidence and reflected in his recent performances.

"We are missing someone like (all-rounder) Kieron Pollard who, over the years, has been that go-to person in the later stages of the game," Bravo said after Tuesday's victory against Pakistan.

"In Pollard's absence, the coach always mentions that someone has to step up. Sammy has been working hard on his batting and he played with a lot of confidence and I think the team gave him the confidence.

"Most times he comes to bat, our backs are against the wall and we need a big innings from him and he delivers more often than not. He's a very strong guy and led from the front.

He is also intense, despite his ever-smiling countenance.

"By nature we all are laidback individuals," Bravo explained.

"We play for the fans. We actually come out to entertain. (It's) important that we all have a smile on our face, understand the importance of not going overboard, to play with a lot of passion."

Sammy has a natural sense of humour too, which was evident when reminded that he was stripped of 50-over captaincy after winning the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

"If we win this tournament, probably I won't be Test captain," he quipped.

 

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