KOLKATA, India — As Carlos Brathwaite slammed four sixes into the Eden Gardens crowd to seal World T20 victory for the West Indies two contrasting emotions seeped into the competing teams.
For Brathwaite and his winning teammates their celebrations erupted onto the outfield and will have sparked similar jubilation in their homeland.
On the flip side of the coin England were left dejected having gone into the final over thinking 19 runs was very defendable.
Bearing the brunt of Brathwaite was Ben Stokes who has been so superb in the closing stages of England’s last two matches but here was treated with contempt.
His head instantly dropped in search of that gaping hole that so often fails to appear when athletes have to face monumental moments of defeat that feels like their doing.
Stokes is a strong character but England captain Eoin Morgan admitted that this experience will be one that is not easy to put out to pasture with the wounds bound to leave scars on his all-rounder.
“It’s quite simple from my point of view. [Stokes] is going to be devastated and it’s going to take its toll over the next couple of days,” said Morgan. “You can say what you like to him at the moment but he’s probably not hearing a lot.”
And while many will feel sympathy for Stokes and England’s brave challenge there will be no such kindness afforded them by the West Indies.
Stokes has history with man of the match Marlon Samuels and they briefly came together after Brathwaite’s third six.
The West Indian, slumped in his chair with his feet up in the post match press conference, said Stokes has been too vocal on the pitch and that his insistence on verbal probes of he and his teammates only helped them in their cause.
“[Stokes] doesn’t learn. I keep telling him whenever he plays against me “do not speak to me” because I’m going to perform,” said Samuels.
“I didn’t even face a ball [off Stokes] and he has so much to say today. That’s what I thrive on and is why I’m still around after so long despite all the ups and downs.”
Samuels’ unbeaten 85 was the second time that he has led the way with a bat in West Indies’ two winning World T20 campaigns and his innings was the difference in Kolkata.
That is unbelievable!!!! @MarlonSamuels7 standing up again in a T20 World Cup final. Brathwaite omg!!! #CalypsoKings
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) April 3, 2016
The West Indian also took ire at Shane Warne comments when touring Australia and dedicated his performance and award to the Aussie leg-spinner.
“I said it to a couple of teammates that I played a Test series in Australia and everything Shane Warne has a problem with me. I’ve never disrespected him, “Samuels added.
“It seems as if he has a lot inside him that needs to come out. I don’t appreciate the way that he continues to talk about me and the things that he keeps doing. I don’t know, maybe because my face is real and his face is not.”
He and his team will now look to move forward and build on their latest triumph, something Morgan believes England should also be able to do considering their progress in one-day cricket that culminated in their run to the final in India.
“As a whole I’m very proud of my players,” added Morgan. “I think the exciting thing is that this is the beginning of something special. We’ve a great amount of talent to work with. Let’s hope we can keep this group of players together for as long as we can and look to the future.”
