England v West Indies – key battles

Either England or West Indies will become the first team to win the ICC World Twenty20 for a second time on Sunday.

Here ecb.co.uk looks at three of the key battles which could decide which side lifts the trophy in Kolkata.

Eoin Morgan v Darren Sammy

Both outstanding leaders and destructive batsmen on their day, both Morgan and Sammy have captained well this tournament – the West Indies skipper has won five tosses out of five – but have not contributed as much as they would have liked with the bat.

Left-hander Morgan has hit just 61 runs in five innings , while all-rounder Sammy has batted only twice – falling for a duck against South Africa and making six against Afghanistan, a game in which he bowled his only two overs of the tournament, returning 1-17.

Both will be desperate to deliver when it counts, and a significant knock from either player could well lead to them getting their hands on the silverware on Sunday night.

Jason Roy v Samuel Badree

Roy has burst on to the world stage in spectacular style in India, clubbing 183 runs at an outrageous strike-rate of 151.23.

His sprint start against South Africa set the platform as England chased 230 to keep their tournament alive, and his career-best 78 saw off New Zealand in the semi-final.

If the Surrey opener gets going, the Windies will have it all to do, but in Badree they possess one of the most effective powerplay bowlers in international cricket.

The leg-spinner has gone for just 5.68 runs per over this tournament, and has chipped in with seven wickets as well – Roy and Alex Hales will need to be vigilant.

Chris Gayle v David Willey

Gayle’s 48-ball century in the Super 10s fixture will be fresh in the mind of all England’s bowlers.

The best way of stopping the big-hitting left-hander is to nip him out early while the ball is swinging – as was the case in the semi-final when Jasprit Bumrah bowled him with a wicked inswinger.

Willey is England’s best exponent of moving the new ball through the air, and has taken seven wickets at 19.85 during the tournament – if he can make Gayle his eighth England’s path to glory could become a lot clearer.


Source: ECB

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